Congressman Cohen Demands the Release of Radio Free Europe Editor Alsu Kurmasheva

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly’s Special Representative for Political Prisoners, today condemned the extended detention of Radio Free Europe-Radio Liberty editor Alsu Kurmasheva and called for her immediate release. Kurmasheva is a dual Russian-American citizen employed by the radio network funded by the American government and was arrested for failing to register as a foreign agent.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“The arrest and detention of an American journalist on trumped-up charges is outrageous and is a transparent effort to trade innocent Americans for Russian criminals held on legitimate charges in the West. Ms. Kurmasheva has done nothing wrong, and the world must recognize that fact and demand her immediate release.

“I also call for the release of Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal reporter arbitrarily detained in March on false espionage charges. I also call for a review of the conditions in which American prisoners are being held after recent reports that Paul Whelan, held since 2018, was severely beaten by fellow inmates.”

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