Norton, Schiff Request Status Update and “Wrongfully Detained” Determination from State Department for U.S. Journalist Alsu Kurmasheva

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) led Members of Congress in writing a letter to the State Department today to request a status update on the case of Alsu Kurmasheva, a journalist who holds dual U.S. and Russian citizenship who has been unlawfully detained by Russia since October 18, 2023. Kurmasheva is an editor with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and was detained after traveling to Russia for a family emergency.

“We respectfully request that the State Department provide us with an update on her case upon receipt of this letter, including the status of the State Department’s efforts to secure consular access,” the letter stated. “We also strongly urge the Department to immediately issue a “wrongfully detained” determination in this case. Based on the facts that are known, we believe aformal designation is warranted and remains important to ensure the full engagement of the U.S. government and the provision of all relevant resources to support Ms. Kurmasheva and her family as efforts continue to return her to her loved ones as soon as possible.”

The full text of the letter follows.

December 1, 2023

The Honorable Antony Blinken

Secretary

U.S. Department of State

2201 C Street NW

Washington, DC 20522

Dear Secretary Blinken:

            We write to express our deep concern about Alsu Kurmasheva, a journalist who holds dual U.S. and Russian citizenship and has been unlawfully detained in Russia.

            Ms. Kurmasheva is an editor with the Tatar-Bashkir Service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which is funded by a grant from Congress through the U.S. Agency for Global Media. After traveling to Russia for a family emergency, Ms. Kurmasheva was detained at Kazan International Airport on June 2, 2023, before her return flight.  Her U.S. and Russian passports were confiscated, and she was fined 10,000 rubles for failure to register her U.S. passport with Russian authorities.  She was then released but was denied the return of her travel documents.  On October 18, 2023, she was detained again and charged with failure to register as a foreign agent.  We are concerned about her well-being. 

We respectfully request that the State Department provide us with an update on her case upon receipt of this letter, including the status of the State Department’s efforts to secure consular access.  We also strongly urge the Department to immediately issue a “wrongfully detained” determination in this case.  Based on the facts that are known, we believe aformal designation is warranted and remains important to ensure the full engagement of the U.S. government and the provision of all relevant resources to support Ms. Kurmasheva and her family as efforts continue to return her to her loved ones as soon as possible.  We also request that you prioritize the immediate release of Ms. Kurmasheva, Evan Gershkovich and all other U.S. citizens who are unlawfully detained in Russia, and seek pathways to secure their safe return.  Ms. Kurmasheva’s case is yet another example of Russia’s assault on press freedom and democratic values.  We further request that the State Department keep us informed of any developments in her case.

Sincerely,

Eleanor Holmes Norton

Adam Schiff

André Carson

Lloyd Doggett

Robert Garcia

James McGovern

Mike Quigley

Eric Swalwell

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