Russian Journalist Who Protested ‘NO WAR’ on State TV Surfaces in Court

A Russian state TV news editor who burst onto the set with a “NO WAR” banner during a live broadcast has been fined 30,000 rubles ($280) under Russia’s law against “unsanctioned” political demonstrations. After disappearing for almost 24 hours following her protest, Marina Ovsyannikova surfaced in court Tuesday to face the misdemeanor administrative offense. She may still face a more serious penalty, as the Investigative Committee is said to have begun a pre-investigative review into the possibility of charging Osvyannikova under the country’s new “fake news” laws designed to stop any public criticism of the invasion of Ukraine, according to the TASS news agency. Vyacheslav Volodin, the chairman of the State Duma, meanwhile, publicly called on law enforcement to respond to Ovsyannikova’s actions “to the fullest extent.” He said lawmakers would take the matter under control. Under the country’s “fake” news law, she could face up to 15 years in prison. Ovsyannikova, 44, was whisked away by police from the Channel One studio after she launched her protest during Monday’s evening news on state TV. Asked about the case during a news briefing Tuesday, Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the protest as an act of “hooliganism,” adding: “The live broadcast of any TV channel is a special dimension, where there is a special responsibility, especially for those who work there.”