Ukrainian journalist arrested in Moscow, charged with spying

Roman Sushchenko, a Ukrainian journalist and Paris correspondent for the Ukrinform news agency, was arrested in Moscow and charged with spying, various sources confirmed on Oct. 2, including the Ukrainian government. “Sushchenko informed rights advocates that he was pressured psychologically during his arrest, and the investigator didn’t allow him to call home and inform his wife about his arrest,” said a statement released by the Open Russia organization.

Sushchenko, 47, was missing for at least two days before his arrest was confirmed on Oct. 2, Ukrinform reported on Oct. 3. He was on vacation at the moment of his arrest and was in Moscow for personal reasons. He has worked for the agency since 2002 and was the Paris correspondent since 2010. He was arrested in violation of international law, as the Russian Federal Security Service didn’t notify family, diplomatic institutions or his employer.

Zenon Zawada: Russian law enforcement isn’t the least bit intimidated by arresting someone that will draw international criticism. Quite the opposite – it seems to crave making an example of such public figures. In Sushchenko’s case, he was the correspondent in one of the four Normandy Format countries negotiating for resolution to the war, likely close to the diplomats involved, which shows not only Russia’s disdain for the process but also indicates he could be used as a bargaining chip.

Sushchenko won’t be the next Savchenko in terms of celebrity, but the arrest of any veteran journalist creates a figure for the world to rally around in the battle against Russian hostility for international norms. Already Savchenko’s lawyer, Mark Feygin, has been hired by Sushchenko’s family.