Russian Journalist Who Protested Against The War On TV, Resigns, Declines France's Asylum Offer
Marina Ovsyannikova, a Russian journalist and Editor of the state-run Channel One who caused international embarrassment by protesting on live TV against the ongoing war in Ukraine has resigned from her job.
She told France 24 news channel that she had "handed in all the documents" for her resignation from Channel One. "It's a legal procedure," she said.
Ovsyannikova, who has two young children, said she had "broken the life of our family with this gesture," with her son in particular showing anxiety.
"But we need to put an end to this fratricidal war so this madness does not turn into nuclear war. I hope when my son is older he will understand why I did this," she said.
Offered asylum in France
Following Ovsyannikova's dramatic protest on TV which led to her detention, she was offered asylum by French President Emmanuel Macron.
Ovsyannikova however, told German publication Der Spiegel that she would not take up his offer and would stay in Russia.
"I don't want to leave our country. I am a patriot, my son is even more so. We don't want to leave in any way, we don't want to go anywhere," she said.
After Ovsyannikova's protest, there were reports that many more journalists have resigned from the state-run news channel that has been telling a different story of the war in Ukraine to the Russian public.
"Most people who work for state television understand very well what is going on. They know only too well that they are doing something wrong," she said.
According to her some of her colleagues were unable to resign even if they wished.
"I am happy that people handed in their notice but the economic situation is very hard and people find it very hard to stop their work," she said.
Ovsyannikova on Monday, interrupted a live news bulletin holding up a sign behind the studio presenter and shouting slogans?denouncing the war in Ukraine.
"NO WAR. Stop the war. Don't believe propaganda.?They are lying to you?here." Another phrase, which looked like "Russians against war" the poster in her hand, written in both English and Russian read.
Later a video surfaced online showing Ovsyannikov who described herself as a Channel One employee and said she was ashamed to have worked for years spreading?Kremlin propaganda. She said her father was Ukrainian, and her mother was Russian.
Following the protest, Ovsyannikov was detained and a Moscow court rapidly fined her 30,000 rubles (260 euros). But despite being freed she could face further prosecution, risking years in prison under draconian new laws.
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