A Russian court has issued an arrest warrant in absentia for CNN journalist Nick Paton Walsh, following his reports from Ukrainian-held territory in Russia’s Kursk region. Moscow has launched multiple criminal investigations against Western journalists who covered the region after Ukraine’s unexpected incursion in August.
The charges stem from allegations of illegal border crossings. The Leninsky Court in Kursk has demanded Paton Walsh’s extradition, stating that he should be detained either upon re-entry into Russian territory or if extradited.
Paton Walsh, a British journalist, has previously worked for Channel 4 News and The Guardian in Moscow.
Earlier this week, Russia also ordered the arrest of two Italian journalists who reported from within the Kursk region. Since Ukraine’s incursion on August 6, Ukrainian forces have controlled significant portions of the area.
The Russian government has also implemented strict laws against any criticism of its military actions in Ukraine.
