3.4.2. Journalists in exile

3.4.2. Journalists in exile

As reported by the RSF in mid-October 2025, 66 media professionals had been ‘arrested or convicted in absentia by the Russian authorities because of their work’ since February 2022. The RSF further noted that an arrest or conviction in absentia means that the person cannot return to Russia, even for a brief visit, as it would mean their immediate arrest.415

The CPJ noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) ‘regularly adds journalists with outstanding foreign agent fines’ to the wanted list, making them subject to pre-trial detention if they travel to Russia or to countries that may extradite them to Russia. The MFA also seizes their assets and bank accounts in Russia.416 According to the UN Special Rapporteur, Mariana Katzarova, journalists in exile appear ‘on various wanted lists, including International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) Red Notices’, which effectively places them at risk of arrest or refoulement if they travel to countries with extradition agreements with Russia.417

According to RSF, authorities ‘maintain pressure’ on journalists in exile by ‘visiting’ their family members in Russia.418 CPJ reported that families of exiled journalists ‘have been harassed back home.’419 As reported by Meduza in July 2025, the police summoned the parents of an exiled journalist, who faced charges of illegal border crossing, ‘for questioning’.420