OSCE Representative reiterates call to Russian authorities to release journalist Roman Sushchenko on the second anniversary of his detention

VIENNA, 30 September 2018 – On the second anniversary of the detention of Ukrainian National News Agency Ukrinform’s journalist Roman Sushchenko, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir repeated his call to the Russian authorities to release the journalist from prison. 

“Journalists in the OSCE region should be able to work without fear of intimidation or imprisonment,” Désir said, “Sushchenko’s 12-year sentence is exceptionally harsh, and I hope his conviction will be overturned on appeal.”

Suchshenko was detained on 30 September 2016 in Moscow. On 4 June 2018, the Moscow City Court sentenced him to 12 years in a high security prison on espionage charges.

The Representative raised the case on several occasions in the past, including during his official visits to Kyiv and Moscow in 2017 (see: https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/394064, https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/383433, https://www.osce.org/fom/351561 and https://www.osce.org/fom/358456).

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, twitter @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.