Czechia: Police Removes Exiled Russian Journalist Farida Kurbangaleeva Off Premise After Revoking Accreditation For Zelensky's Press Conference
Tatar journalist Kurbangaleeva fled to Czechia in 2014 after taking a stance against Russia annexing Crimea
Location: Prague, Czechia
Date: July 6, 2023
Secret Services revoke journalist Farida Kurbangaleeva’s credentials for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s press conference without explanation. The Coalition For Women In Journalism expresses its solidarity with Farida Kurbangaleeva. We condemn the infringement of press freedom and call on the Czech government to reverse the decision and ensure transparency in accreditation procedures.
Initially accredited to attend Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's highly anticipated press conference at Prague Castle, exiled Russian journalist Farida Kurbangaleeva was told by a police officer at the premise that her credentials had been revoked. Subsequently, they forcibly escorted the journalist off-site.
Markéta Řeháková, the spokesperson for the President of Czechia, confirmed security service revoked Kurbangaleeva's accreditation but did not disclose any grounds for their decision.
Kurbangaleeva, a former Russia 1 TV anchor, shared on Facebook her disbelief. “I was accredited, had passed all checks, and was waiting for him to arrive,” the reporter wrote.
Speaking out against Russia’s annexation of Crimea, Kurbangaleeva resigned from Russia’s state TV1 in 2014 and fled to Czechia, where she was a presenter at Radio Free Europe’s Current Time in Prague. Since 2021, the journalist writes for Republic, an analytical platform labeled a ‘foreign agent’ by Russia’s government.
Czech journalist Petra Procházková from renowned newsroom Deník N, who has known the Russian journalist for years, describes Kurbangalejeva as a "trustworthy individual" in an interview with Seznam Zprávy.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands in solidarity with Farida Kurbangaleeva. We condemn the infringement on her journalistic rights and demand answers for her unwarranted expulsion from the conference. It is imperative that the Czech authorities swiftly address this matter of press freedom censorship. Transparency, fairness, and accountability must be upheld in all aspects of the accreditation procedures in order to protect the fundamental principles of a free press and defend the very essence of democracy.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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