Journalists Held in Moscow Amid Military Wives’ Protest

Several individuals, including foreign journalists, have been apprehended in Moscow following a crackdown on protesters at Russian President Vladimir Putin’s election headquarters, as reported by independent news sources on Saturday.

The demonstration was organized by the wives of mobilized men and was part of a growing movement in which women demand the return of their husbands and sons from the conflict in Ukraine.

Video footage seen by CNN showed Russian authorities detaining individuals wearing “Press” vests near Red Square.

The “500 days of mobilization” rally initially took place near the Kremlin and later moved to Putin’s nearby election headquarters. Independent Russian news outlet SOTAvision reported on their Telegram channel that a correspondent witnessed security forces apprehending random individuals from the crowd, primarily men.

OVD-info, an organization monitoring Russian repression, reported that at least 27 people, with only one being a protester, were transported in a police van to Kitay-Gorod station, where they are currently being held. Despite sending a lawyer to visit the detainees, OVD-info stated that access was denied.

According to independent Russian media group Mediazona, among those detained were journalists working for Kommersant, France Press, Spiegel, and human rights activists.

An additional seven journalists covering the rally were taken to the Basmanny police station, as reported by OVD-info. This group included Andrei Zaiko, a representative of the Japanese television company “Fuji.”

OVD-info on Telegram reported that one state media employee has been released from Kitay-Gorod, along with three minors. However, police officers allegedly informed them that they planned to release the remaining federal and foreign media employees but detain “foreign agents” representing media organizations. All detainees had their phones confiscated.

In late 2022, Russia expanded its foreign agents law to encompass individuals or groups deemed to have “received support and (or) is under foreign influence.” This move was criticized as an attempt by the Kremlin to silence critics of its war in Ukraine, including journalists.