A heated court hearing touched on the fate of a journalist and two media professionals connected to a Telegram channel critical of the banking sector
The senior manager at Promsvyazbank, Alexander Ushakov, urged the court to refrain from imprisoning the journalist Alexandra Bayazitova, the administrator of the Telegram channel “Grandmothers from Hell,” and media technologist Olga Arkharova. The remarks were reported by RIA News, with Arkharova’s attorney Elena Fedulova providing the account.
During the proceedings, Ushakov reportedly asked the court not to strip him of his freedom and declined the proposed moral damages compensation. The lawyer explained that accepting this would allow him to voice the prosecutor’s stance on the sentence during court interrogation.
The decision in the case, which involved accusations of blackmail linked to blocking Telegram channels, was announced on November 27. The timing of the announcement followed prior statements by Fedulova that Bayazitova and Arkharova had endured prolonged emotional strain.
According to Fedulova, the women have faced what was described as inhumane living conditions for a year and a half, and they felt fear and distress due to the prosecutor’s request for lengthy prison terms. The situation has drawn attention to the broader treatment of journalists and digital rights in the contemporary media landscape.
Fadeev, who previously served as President of the Human Rights Council, reportedly called for Bayazitova to be kept out of custody, urging the court to avoid detaining the journalist prior to trial. The exchange highlights ongoing concerns about press freedom and due process in cases involving online platforms and content moderation.
The case underscores the tension between banking-sector oversight and media oversight in the digital age, with legal observers noting the potential implications for independent journalism as authorities scrutinize online channels and their influence on public discourse. Marked attributions reflect the information provided by news agencies and legal representatives involved in the proceedings.