[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 172 (Thursday, October 19, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S5094]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 RUSSIA

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, now, on a detained journalist. 
Unfortunately, yesterday, authorities detained a journalist with dual 
U.S.-Russian citizenship on specious charges of failing to register as 
a foreign agent. Alsu Kurmasheva is now the second American journalist 
detained by Russia this year after Evan Gershkovich of the Wall Street 
Journal was arrested in March.
  We unequivocally condemn Russia's unjustifiable detention of Alsu 
Kurmasheva and of Evan Gershkovich, and we demand they be released 
immediately.
  It is no secret that Russia has a long and disturbing history of 
unjustly detaining U.S. citizens, especially members of the free press. 
But let me be clear: Journalism is not a crime and should never be met 
with persecution, intimidation, and suppression.
  America stands with Alsu Kurmasheva, Evan Gershkovich, and their 
families.

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