An Anti-War Protester on Russian State Television Gets Fined After Appearing in Court

An employee of the Russian state media detained after she protested live on television has been fined $280 and appeared in court. During a live broadcast on Russian television on Monday, Marina Ovsyannikova held up a sign proclaiming, "No War. Stop the war. Don’t believe propaganda. They are lying to you.” The bottom line, in English, read, “Russians against war.” She was accused of violating the country’s protest laws. No further charges have been filed against her.

The Kremlin on Tuesday said Ovsyannikova’s actions amount to “hooliganism.” As UN Human Rights Office Spokesperson said at a briefing Tuesday, Russia should ensure that Ovsyannikova is not retaliated against for exercising her freedom of speech. Ovsyannikova appeared unexpectedly Monday behind the host of Russia's main evening TV news program, Vremya, as the host discussed how the Kremlin intends to ease sanctions applied to Russia after its invasion of Ukraine..

In a social media post on Monday, Novaya Gazeta, the renowned Russian news outlet run by Nobel Peace Prize winner Dmitry Muratov, blurred out the sign Ovsyannikova was holding.

On social media, Novaya Gazeta reported that a protester appeared behind the news show host holding "a poster with content we are not allowed to report on by [media regulator] Roskomnadzor and the criminal code.". In an earlier video, Ovsyannikova criticized the war in Ukraine, saying that "what is going on now is a crime" and that "Vladimir Putin alone is responsible."

On Tuesday, investigators were trying to determine whether Ovsyannikova could be prosecuted under the law that took effect eight days after the Feb. 24 invasion and allows for maximum prison terms of fifteen years. Russia's state TV frequently repeats the government's claim that its "special military operation" is designed to save Ukrainians from "Nazis" and defend Russians from imminent attacks by Ukrainian forces.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine's president, on Tuesday noted Ovsyannikova's case in his daily Telegram address, saying, "I am grateful to those Russians who do not cease trying to get the truth out, who fight against disinformation.”