Russia sentences journalist Dmitry Kuznets to 2.5 years in absentia

Regional and exile media describe Kuznets’ sentence as part of a wider crackdown on independent Russian-language journalism based abroad. They say Russian authorities are using the “undesirable organizations” label to criminalize routine reporting and silence critics who left the country. They expect more in-absentia sentences and warn that any cooperation with outlets like Meduza now carries criminal risk for people inside Russia.

• •Exile outlets describe Dmitry Kuznets’ conviction as punishment for his reporting for Meduza rather than any concrete harm.
• •Meduza staff argue that Russia’s “undesirable organizations” law is being used to outlaw independent journalism.
• •Regional media link Kuznets’ case with the in-absentia nine-year sentence against opposition blogger Maxim Katz as part of the same crackdown.
• •Journalists outside Russia warn that sources and freelancers inside the country now face criminal charges for working with them.
• •Exiled newsrooms expect Russian courts to keep issuing in-absentia sentences to pressure critics who have left the country.