WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressional Ukraine Caucus Chairs, Reps. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Andy Harris (R-MD), Sander Levin (D-MI), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), today said the following on the targeting of journalists in Russia including the continued imprisonment of Ukrainian journalist, Roman Sushchenko by Russian authorities:

“We remain troubled by the targeting and detention of journalists by Russian authorities for no crime other than seeking the truth,” the Co-Chairs said. “Freedom of the press is a fundamental principle of democracy, transparency, and the rule of law. The wrongful treatment of journalists like Roman Sushchenko is part of a larger trend of politically-motivated persecution and violation of fundamental human rights by Russian authorities. We join the international community in calling for their swift release.”

Background:

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, nine journalists have been killed with complete impunity in the past decade in Russia. On September 30, 2016, Roman Suschenko was arrested on a private trip to Moscow by the Russia security service known as the FSB on charges of espionage. He is being detained in Moscow’s Lefortovo Prison and his arrest has prolonged.  He is a permanent correspondent of UKRINFORM in Paris, France and has worked for the agency for 15 years.