Russian Court Arrests CNN Journalist in Absentia Over Report from Kursk Region

A Russian court has issued an arrest warrant in absentia for CNN journalist Nick Paton Walsh, accusing him of “illegal border crossing” after his report from the Ukrainian-controlled city of Sudzha, located in Russia’s Kursk region.

The arrest comes after Russian authorities claimed Walsh crossed into Russia from Ukraine without permission to cover Ukrainian military activities in the area, according to the AFP.

Details of the case reveal that Russian authorities allege Walsh, along with unidentified individuals, entered Russian territory from Ukraine on August 6, 2024, to report on what they described as the Ukrainian Armed Forces' incursion into the region. The Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia initiated criminal proceedings against Walsh and several other journalists following this event.

In response, CNN has firmly denied any wrongdoing by its reporter. The news organization stated that Walsh’s visit to Sudzha was carried out in full compliance with international law. The network emphasized that its reporting team had received an invitation from the Ukrainian government and was escorted by Ukrainian military personnel. CNN cited journalists' rights under the Geneva Convention and international law as the basis for its actions.

This case is not an isolated incident. Italian journalist Stefania Battistini of RAI and her cameraman Simone Traini were also charged with illegal border crossing for their report from Sudzha. Russian authorities claim they crossed into Russia with Ukrainian military vehicles on August 6. Their arrest warrants were issued in absentia as well. In response to the charges, Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Russian ambassador, and several international press organizations have condemned the Russian legal actions against foreign journalists.

In August 2024, the FSB opened similar criminal cases against a total of 14 foreign journalists, including reporters from Deutsche Welle, ABC News, and France 24, as well as several Ukrainian outlets.