US State Department condemns Russia's detention of Hokkaido Shimbun reporter
In short
A US State Department spokesperson said on the 19th that the US condemns the detention of a Hokkaido Shimbun reporter by Russian authorities on spying suspicion. The spokesperson said the US supports its ally Japan and urged Russia to treat the detained Japanese national fairly and impartially.
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A US State Department spokesperson said on the 19th that the United States condemns the detention of a Hokkaido Shimbun (北海道新聞) reporter by Russian authorities on suspicion of spying. According to Nikkei, the spokesperson said the US supports its ally Japan and strongly urges Russia to treat the Japanese national it has detained fairly and impartially. [ 1 ]
In remarks to Kyodo News, the spokesperson said the US condemns any attempt to intimidate, harass or punish journalists and people with independent views. The spokesperson also said the US regards freedom of expression as a fundamental right, that societies are strengthened by the free expression of opinion, and that government censorship in a free society is unacceptable. Kyodo-based reports in Tokyo Shimbun and Sankei Shimbun described the remarks as a defence of Japan's side, which denies the spying allegation. [ 2 , 4 ]
The reporter was detained on the 13th by the Federal Security Service (FSB). The reports say the FSB detained him on the grounds that he collected, on the instructions of a Japanese intelligence agency, information on the number of soldiers mobilised from the Northern Territories and the Kuril Islands for the 'special military operation' in Ukraine. [ 2 , 4 ]
Why it matters
The statement shows US backing for Japan's side, which denies the spying allegation. The documents give no information on the reporter's current status or on any next steps.
Key facts
- A US State Department spokesperson said on the 19th that the US condemns any attempt to intimidate, harass or punish journalists and people with independent views. [ 2 , 4 ]
- The spokesperson said the US supports its ally Japan and strongly urges Russia to treat the detained Japanese national fairly and impartially. [ 1 ]
- The reporter was detained on the 13th by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB). [ 2 , 4 ]
- The FSB detained him on the grounds that he collected, on the instructions of a Japanese intelligence agency, information on the number of soldiers mobilised from the Northern Territories and the Kuril Islands for the 'special military operation' in Ukraine. [ 2 , 4 ]
- The spokesperson said the US regards freedom of expression as a fundamental right and that government censorship in a free society is unacceptable. [ 2 , 4 ]
- The remarks were given in response to Kyodo News inquiries. [ 2 , 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether the espionage allegation has any basis. Japan's side denies spying, according to Kyodo-based reports; the documents give no evidence from Russian authorities beyond the FSB's stated grounds.
- The reporter's current condition, place of detention and next legal steps. None of the documents report them.
- The reporter's name. The documents do not give it.
- The State Department spokesperson said the US supports Japan and called for fair treatment of the detained Japanese national. Reported by a single source so far
- The reporter was detained by the FSB on the 13th. Reported by a single source so far