Russian Anti-War Journalist Marina Ovsyannikova Placed Under House Arrest In Moscow, Faces 10-Year Prison Sentence

Melanie Goodfellow
·2 min read

Russian journalist Marina Ovsyannikova, who became a symbol of fearless dissent when she interrupted a live TV broadcast in March to protest her country’s invasion of Ukraine, has been placed under house arrest in Moscow pending a trial related to a fresh anti-war protest in July.

Ovsyannikova was arrested on August 10 in a police raid on her Moscow home. She appeared in court on Thursday (August 11) where she was charged with spreading fake news about the military, an offense that carries up to ten years in prison under Russian law.

More from Deadline

The charges are not related to her original TV protest but rather a fresh action in mid-July in which she stood opposite the Kremlin, holding a placard with slogans criticizing President Vladimir Putin and the Russian army. At her feet lay two dolls covered in red dye to highlight the deaths of children in the conflict.

Following her first protest in March, which resulted in a brief arrest and $527 fine (30,000 rubles), Ovsyannikova left Russia and worked briefly for the German newspaper Die Welt on a temporary contract.

She returned to Russia in early July to fight for access to her two children after her ex-husband filed a lawsuit asking for sole custody in Moscow.

Ovsyannikova said in an Instagram post that she knew she could be arrested on her return but despite these fears, she staged further public protests against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

She continued her protests in the courtroom on Thursday. Sitting in the glass defendant’s cage, she defiantly held up an A4 piece of paper bearing the words “May the murdered kids haunt your dreams tonight.”

Local media outlets and human rights groups reported that Ovsyannikova had been placed under house arrest until October 9, pending her trial.

There has been a widespread crackdown on anti-war protests and dissent across Russia since the start of its war in Ukraine on February 24.

Russian independent human rights watchdog OVD-info, estimates that there have been more than 15,000 detentions and at least 178 people are currently going through the courts and could face lengthy prison sentences.

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest Stories

  • Coban Porter sentenced to 6 years in prison for deadly DUI crash, same week his brother Jontay banned from NBA

    One Porter brother is banned for life from the NBA. Another is headed to prison.

  • Lululemon cutting over 100 jobs in Washington distribution centre closure

    VANCOUVER — Lululemon Athletica Inc. says it is cutting more than 100 jobs as it plans to close a distribution centre in Washington state. It says some employees at the Sumner, Wash. centre will be retrained and relocated to other facilities, but that "just over" 100 positions with be eliminated because of the closure. The company says it decided to close the smaller distribution centre as part of a regular evaluation of its network. Lululemon says its overall fulfilment strategy includes a mult

  • Marlins vs. Cubs Highlights

    Bryan De La Cruz and the Marlins take on Nico Hoerner and the Cubs on April 19, 2024

  • Trump’s hush-money trial: here’s what’s happened so far

    Donald Trump is the first former president to face criminal charges. Here’s what you need to know about the New York case

  • Remembering Matthew Kechter | Columbine 25 years

    In honor of the victims of Columbine on the occasion of 25 years since the tragedy, these are the inscriptions on each plaque provided by the Columbine Memorial Foundation. This is Matthew Kechter’s tribute.

  • Two people found dead after shooting in rural Marshall County

    Two people found dead after shooting in rural Marshall County

  • The stock market can rise another 13% this year even with a dwindling rate-cut outlook, Fundstrat's Tom Lee says

    The S&P 500 could end the year at 5,700 even if the outlook for Fed rate cuts doesn't brighten, Fundstrat's Tom Lee says.

  • Police: Man shot multiple times in Cockeysville dies

    A man shot multiple times Thursday night at a Cockeysville apartment complex died at a hospital, police said. Baltimore County police said they received a 911 call around 9:30 p.m. for a shooting in the 500 block of Lake Vista Circle. "I do not know if (the 911 caller) heard the shooting or witnessed the gunshots," Baltimore County police Detective Trae Corbin told 11 News.

  • Des Moines police identify woman allegedly killed by domestic partner

    Des Moines police identify woman allegedly killed by domestic partner

  • First baby bison of the season born at Pawnee Bill Ranch

    First baby bison of the season born at Pawnee Bill Ranch

  • Artwork stolen in 2021 shows up 300 kilometres away

    More than two years after hundreds of pieces of art were stolen from an Osoyoos, B.C., artist, a thrift store about 300 kilometres away found some that had been included in a donation. In late 2021, Gabriele Beyer's home was broken into. She says thieves stole hundreds of silk ties and 46 paintings — and Beyer says the loss was a big hit to her livelihood."It was a mystery when the break-in happened," she told The Early Edition host Stephen Quinn. "I was in total shock for about six weeks."In th

  • How UAW, Volkswagen vote could give unions 'leverage'

    The United Auto Workers (UAW) is seeking to expand its unionization efforts beyond the Detroit Big 3 automakers (STLA, GM, F). Workers at Volkswagen's (VOW.DE) plant in Tennessee are voting on unionization, a pivotal moment for the labor organization. Cornell University's Director of Labor Relations, Arthur Wheaton, provides insights into the significance of this development. Wheaton notes that the Volkswagen vote is crucial because if the UAW can increase the number of unionized autoworkers in the United States, "it gives them more leverage at the bargaining table." When asked about the potential impact of the Volkswagen vote on the spread of unionization to other automakers, Wheaton acknowledges that "the reality is it's going to take a lot more work" — cautioning against the expectation that "all of the other plants will immediately get majority people to say yes we want the Union." For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Yahoo Finance. This post was written by Angel Smith

  • Person taken to hospital after being pinned during rollover crash on I-35

    Person taken to hospital after being pinned during rollover crash on I-35

  • British actress Sophie Rundle expecting ‘baby number two’

    Rundle said she had forgotten who she had and had not told about the pregnancy.

  • Concerns about day care loom large in wake of YMCA closure announcement

    When YMCA officials announced on Tuesday that local operations will cease as of May 15, they made sure to mention that day care is one of the services they are hoping to keep alive. The Sault Ste. Marie YMCA offers 541 licensed day care spots across the city, with 140 of those spots being situated at the organization's recreation centre on 235 McNabb St. But now that this building is up for sale, Danica Boissoneau doesn't know what that means for her 18-month-old daughter, who just got enrolled

  • Lightning celebrate neurodiversity with new sensory room

    Lightning head coach Jon Cooper summed up why he loves it when the playoffs come around. "The emotional investment you get from the players, especially in that first round. What I consider the most exciting round in playoffs in any sport is that first round. It’s emotional chaos," he said after the regular season finale against Toronto. Sometimes that chaos can be a little overwhelming for fans who are sensitive to too much light and booming noise, which are common at every Lightning home game.

  • Bilbao and Granada left wanting more in tight-fought draw

    MADRID (AP) — Athletic Bilbao drew with Granada 1-1 in a Spanish league match that won't satisfy either club for different reasons on Friday. Bilbao need points to secure a Champions League place but the draw left it three behind Atletico Madrid, which has a game in hand. Atletico has fourth place, with the top four guaranteed places in next year’s Champions League. “The Champions League spot is the dream,” Bilbao’s Nico Williams said. “It’s frustrating when the ball won’t go in, but we have to

  • British BMX Olympians training in US for Paris Games

    Elite athletes from Great Britain's Olympic BMX team are in the U.S. for training ahead of the 2024 Paris Games. Jamie Bestwick's passion for BMX started when he was just 10 years old. Initially, it was a means of getting around his neighborhood, but he quickly realized the sport's potential. Now, decades later, with more than a dozen X-Tams gold medals to his name, he is coaching the British Olympic team. He brought his team to an action sports camp in Woodward, Pennsylvania, near State College.

  • Remembering Lauren Townsend | Columbine 25 years

    In honor of the victims of Columbine on the occasion of 25 years since the tragedy, these are the inscriptions on each plaque provided by the Columbine Memorial Foundation. This is Lauren Townsend’s tribute

  • St. Pete leaders launch new program to include residents in decision-making

    The City of St. Petersburg is trying to get residents more involved in decision-making. City leaders have one million dollars available for an Innovative Equity Project. The options to invest in for the Innovative Equity Project Initiative include: roof replacement, youth crime prevention, swim safety, volunteerism, and utility assistance.