Russia arrests Doshin reporter on suspicion of espionage, alleges intelligence gathering from mobilized soldiers - Japanese government protests

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) announced on the 13th that it had arrested a Japanese male reporter from the Hokkaido Shimbun Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk bureau in Sakhalin Oblast in the far east on suspicion of espionage. They claim that they were collecting information on mobilized soldiers and others at the direction of Japanese intelligence agencies. He was transferred to Moscow, where, according to Interfax news agency, a court ordered him to be detained for two months.

According to the FSB, journalists collected and archived information on the number of mobilized soldiers and volunteers from the Kuril Islands (Northern Territories and Kuril Islands) who went to invade Ukraine. He was arrested in Sakhalin Oblast as he was planning to leave Russia. The crime of espionage is a serious crime, and if convicted, the person could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.

The FSB released a video of the arrest. Investigators can be seen handcuffing the reporter in a hotel room where he is believed to be staying and searching his belongings. The Hokkaido Shimbun Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk bureau also appears to have been raided.

Regarding the detention of journalists, Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, ``Japan's attempt to use its own correspondents to collect information aimed at undermining Russia's security is regrettable.'' He called for the abandonment of "hostile measures" against Russia.

On the 14th, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Russia's Ambassador to Japan, Nozdrev, to the ministry and offered information and humanitarian consideration. Furthermore, they protested that the announcement of the detention of Japanese nationals was made unilaterally.

According to the Hokkaido Shimbun website, the company has bureaus in Russia in Moscow and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. The Hokkaido Shimbun Company commented on the 14th, ``We are aware of the information, but we are currently confirming the details.We are placing top priority on ensuring the safety of our reporters.''