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Where is Russian TV producer Marina Ovsyannikova?
There are fears for the safety of a Russian television news producer who ambushed a live bulletin protesting against the war in Ukraine
Marina Ovsyannikova, an editor and producer at a Russian television network, ambushed a live news bulletin on Monday, with a sign protesting against the war in neighbouring Ukraine.
Under new laws in Russia, it is illegal to protest against the War in Ukraine, and those who denounce the Kremlin face 15 years in prison.
The Russian Government continues to spread propaganda in its own country, stating that the war in Ukraine is a “special military operation” – and must be referred to that way.
Social media has labelled the journalist as “brave and courageous” – but there are now growing concerns for her safety following her arrest at the news station in which she works for.
Ovsyannikova, is an editor at Channel One Russia. Before crashing into the studio and going live on air, she recorded a video message in which she condemned the war in Ukraine.
She said that she was ashamed to work for a news network that has been forced by Vladimir Putin and his government to spread propaganda throughout Russia, and lying about the truth.
She says her father is Ukrainian and her mother is Russian, and “they have never been enemies”
The producer stated her work lately has been nothing but spreading propaganda at the request of the Kremlin, and as a result it had left her “ashamed.”
“Ashamed that I lied on TV, ashamed that I allowed the brainwashing of Russian people”
She said in a statement.
Ovsyannikova urged all in Russia to attend protests and shine a light on Putin’s aggressive behaviour in Ukraine.
The scene during the producer’s arrest
The scene in Moscow outside the television station where police had been initially holding and presumably interrogating Marina Ovsyannikova was dark, cold and gloomy according to journalists in Moscow.
Ticker NEWS understands that Ovsyannikova has now been taken to a police station and is facing serious charges.
Human rights lawyers along with people on social media however are fearful of her safety above all else, many stating that she may be facing brutal torture as punishment for embarrassing the Kremlin on live television.
Ovsyannikova has not been seen since her arrest.