A journalist who interrupted a state television channel broadcast in Russia to protest the war in Ukraine has reportedly appeared in court today.
Concern was raised for Marina Ovsyannikova's whereabouts after she staged her one-woman protest during live news coverage on Russia's Channel One last night.
However, BBC's Will Vernon - who works as a senior producer for BBC News Moscow - has seemingly put fears to rest by tweeting a snap of himself with Ovsyannikova. In a caption for the photo, he claimed that she was appearing in court in Moscow.
"Marina Ovsyannikova, who staged an anti-war protest during live TV news prog last night, is appearing in court in Moscow now, charged with 'organizing an unauthorized public event' (protest). Possible punishments: fine < 30,000 roubles ($270)/community service/up to 10 days jail," the BBC correspondent wrote.
Earlier today, human rights lawyer Pavel Chikov fanned rumors that she was missing when he tweeted: "Marina Ovsyannikova has not yet been found. She has been imprisoned for more than 12 hours" (per translation by The Telegraph).
In a clip that surfaced after her protest, Ovsyannikova explains why she spoke out, saying: "What is happening now in Ukraine is a crime, and Russia is the aggressor country."
"Unfortunately, for the past few years, I have been working on Channel One and doing Kremlin propaganda, and now I am very ashamed of it. It's a shame that I allowed to speak lies from the TV screens, ashamed that I allowed to zombify Russian people," she added.
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