Russia arresets DW journalist in absentia for reporting from Sudzha

A Russian court has arrested Germany's DW reporter Nicholas Connolly in absentia on charges of illegally crossing Russia's border.

The Leninsky District Court of Kursk passed the ruling at the request of the regional FSB branch's border guard department, DW reports, citing the regional judiciary's press office.

Nicholas Connolly. Photo by DW

The journalist, whom Russia previously put on federal, interstate, and international wanted lists, will be taken into custody in the event of being detained in Russia or immediately after extradition.

On August 22, DW published Connolly's report from Sudzha. In it, the journalist visits the city accompanied by the Ukrainian Armed Forces and talks to the locals, who say that they were left without electricity, water or phone connection.

In late August 2024, the FSB opened a case against DW reporter Nicholas Connolly for alleged illegal crossing of Russia's border.

Commenting on this, the journalist noted that such a ruling was unsurprising to him. "I think that was all to be expected. They had done this to other journalists that had gone there. This is just par for the course, basically." Connolly said he would continue to cover developments in both Ukraine and Russia as part of a Ukrainian crew and the decision of the Russian security forces would not affect his work.

In September 2024, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs put Nick Connolly on federal, interstate, and international wanted persons lists.