Russian authorities open charges against Swiss journalists

Russian secret services have opened proceedings against Swiss journalist Kurt Pelda. This was reported by several news agencies on Monday, based on a statement from the Russian secret service FSB, also available at the Keystone-SDA news agency. Pelda, who regularly reports from Ukraine for CH Media, faces a prison sentence of up to five years.

The war reporter has not been officially informed about the initiation of criminal proceedings against him in Russia, writes CH Media in response to a request from persoenlich.com. He found out about it through the media.

“The Kremlin is intensifying the fight against independent journalism,” underlines editor-in-chief Patrik Müller. “The allegations relate in particular to the report from the town of Suja, Kursk Oblast, in which he reported on the situation there. It is in this region that the Ukrainian army has advanced. We are protesting against the actions of the Russian government and against attempts at intimidation.”

14 journalists charged

The FSB also opened proceedings against journalist Catherine Norris Trent, who works for the French television channel France 24. A total of 14 foreign journalists have been indicted on the same charge since August 17.

The Ukrainian army launched a surprise offensive in the Kursk border region on August 6, the first by a foreign army in Russia since World War II. Russian forces have since launched a counter-offensive and claim to have regained ground.

However, Ukraine still claims to control dozens of cities, and several foreign media outlets have reported on the territory occupied by kyiv’s forces. (nda/spo)