In Russia, an Israeli woman given a sentence in absentia – what was her 'offense'
A Moscow court issued a sentence in absentia against the well-known Israeli journalist and orientalist-Arabist Marianna Belenkaya. Representatives of the Moscow prosecutor's office reported the imposition of a punishment of ten months' imprisonment. The judicial…
Assessment
A Moscow court has sentenced Israeli journalist Marianna Belenkaya in absentia to ten months in prison for evading obligations tied to a foreign agent designation. The ruling also bars her from administering websites, Telegram channels, or other online platforms for one year. This case highlights Russia's expanding use of foreign agent laws against journalists abroad, raising questions about enforcement reach and the practical impact on a defendant living outside Russian jurisdiction.