The latest war in Ukraine: Russia imposes sanctions on Biden and Blinkn
An employee of the state television entered the evening broadcasts of the main Russian state television on Monday to protest against Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, which is still the biggest sign of simmering discontent in the three-week war.
Marina Ovsyannikova, editor of Channel One, appeared live for a few seconds with the caption “Stop the war – Do not believe the propaganda – They are lying to you” and shouted “Stop the war! Not wars! “
Although the channel interrupted the broadcast after a few seconds, Ovsyannik’s unprecedented intervention was an extraordinary act of defiance after Russia tightened its already draconian censorship laws when the war began in late February.
Police have detained Ovsyannikov under a new law criminalizing acts such as “discrediting the Russian armed forces” and spreading “false news” about the conflict, said Pavel Chikov, whose Agora legal defense foundation represents Ovsyannikov.
Although the most severe penalties provide for a possible prison sentence of up to 15 years, Chikov said Ovsyannikova is likely to be fined between 30,000 and 60,000 rubles ($ 250 to $ 500).
Channel One told the state-run Ria Novosti news agency that it was investigating the incident.
Ovsyannikova blamed Putin, the Russian president, for the war in a pre-recorded video posted by the Ovd-Info website, which monitors arrests at the protests, and said she was ashamed of her role in it as a Channel One employee.
“What is happening in Ukraine is a crime, and Russia is an aggressor. One man is responsible for this aggression: Vladimir Putin, “Ovsyannikova said.