INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
A Russian court on Friday extended the pre-trial detention of United States -Russian journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, who was arrested in October
for failing to register as a "foreign agent," her employer said.Kurmasheva, who holds both Russian and American citizenship, was working for
the United States -funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) media outlet when she was detained by law enforcement officers in the
Russian city of Kazan."A court in Kazan extended the detention of Radio Liberty journalist Alsu Kurmasheva until February 5, 2024," RFE/RL
reported on Friday.She is the second United States journalist to be arrested in Russia this year amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.Earlier
this week a Moscow court extended the pre-trial detention of Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested on treason
agent."Both she and Gershkovich deny the charges against them.Kurmasheva faces up to five years in prison if found guilty, and her lawyers
and employer have called for her immediate release.Russia has used controversial "foreign agents" legislation as part of a sweeping
crackdown on the opposition and independent media operating inside the country.The law requires organizations and individuals designated as
reports on their activities to the Russian government.It also requires any Russian citizens to self-register if they engage in activity that
poses a threat to Russia's "national security."Kurmasheva was arrested after initially having her passports confiscated in June when she
traveled to Russia for a family emergency.The Committee to Protect Journalists called on Wednesday for the United States State Department
to designate Kurmasheva as "wrongfully detained," a move which would trigger more intensive diplomatic efforts in Washington to secure her
