(UNN) – Italian Journalists Face Prison Time in Russia for Reporting from Sudzha
The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has opened a criminal case against Italian journalists who reported from Suzha in the Kursk region of Russia. The area is currently under Ukrainian control. The charges against the journalists include illegally crossing the Russian border and filming without proper authorization.
The case involves Simone Traini, a cameraman for the Italian state broadcaster Rai, and Stefania Battistini, a correspondent. According to the FSB, these journalists are accused of entering Russia without valid documents and recording footage in the Suzha district.
The case is being pursued under Part 3 of Article 322 of the Russian Criminal Code, which addresses illegal border crossing by a group of individuals. The maximum penalty for this offense is five years in prison.
In addition to the case against Traini and Battistini, the FSB is conducting a legal review of foreign correspondent Nick Peyton Walsh. The outcome of this review will determine whether further legal action will be taken against him.
This development follows the recent broadcast of a report by Rai 1 from the Suzha district. The Russian authorities responded by summoning the Italian ambassador to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This action highlights ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, and the scrutiny faced by journalists covering the conflict.
Earlier, Ukrainian journalists had also reported from the Kursk region, which is currently controlled by Ukrainian forces. This further underscores the contentious and complex nature of reporting from conflict zones.