Russian woman who protested in full TV broadcast was released, although she continues to face prison threats

The employee of a Russian television network who broke into a pro-government news program to denouncing the offensive in Ukraine was released on Tuesdayafter being sentenced to pay a fine equivalent to 275 dollars.

Marina Ovsiannikova may however face criminal charges that could lead to severe prison sentencesunder a law that cracks down on any “false information” about the Russian military.

This 43-year-old woman burst into live on Monday night during the most watched news in Russia, on the Pervy Kanal network, where she works as a producer, with a banner that read: “No to war, do not believe the propaganda. Here they are lying to you”.

The images of this gesture went around the world and, on social networks, many people praised his “extraordinary courage”in a context of repression against any critical voice in Russia.

French President Emmanuel Macron even proposed a “consular protection”, either at the embassy or by granting him asylum.

On Tuesday, a Moscow court found her guilty of committing an “administrative offense” and sentenced her to a fine of 30,000 rubles (about 250 euros or $275 at current exchange rates), an AFP journalist present at the hearing said.

After the hearing, during which she pleaded not guilty, Ovsiannikova said she wanted to “rest” after these “so difficult” moments.

“These are very difficult days in my life, I spent almost two days without sleeping, the interrogation lasted 14 hours,” he said in a brief statement to the press.

“I did not have the right to speak with my relatives, nor did I have access to legal assistance and that is why I was in such a difficult position,” he added. “I have to rest today.”

However, the hardest for this woman could be yet to come. (I)