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BackRussia arrests Doshin reporter on suspicion of espionage, alleges information gathering from mobilized soldiers - expresses regret that ``Japan is using the reporter''
Russia arrests Doshin reporter on suspicion of espionage, alleges information gathering from mobilized soldiers - expresses regret that ``Japan is using the reporter''
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時事通信4 hours agoWorld2 min readJapanView original

Russia arrests Doshin reporter on suspicion of espionage, alleges information gathering from mobilized soldiers - expresses regret that ``Japan is using the reporter''

Russian Federal Security ServiceFSBHokkaido Shimbun

Quick Look

  • Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) announced on the 13th that it had arrested a Japanese male reporter from the Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk bureau of Hokkaido Shimbun in the far eastern Sakhalin Oblast on suspicion of espionage.
  • He claimed that he had been collecting information on mobilized soldiers and others at the direction of Japanese intelligence agencies, and was transferred to Moscow, where a court decided to detain him for two months.
  • The crime of espionage is a felony and, if convicted, could result in up to 20 years in prison.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine, and cases of foreign nationals being detained on suspicion of intelligence gathering or espionage are increasing. The Hokkaido Shimbun has a bureau in Sakhalin Oblast and reports on the situation in the Far East. The Kuril Islands (Northern Territories and Kuril Islands) are the focus of territorial disputes between Japan and Russia.

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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. Meanwhile, the Japanese Embassy in Russia said it was "confirming the facts."

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

  • The Japanese Embassy in Russia holds negotiations to request consular access from the Russian side.

    Very likely · Within days

  • Japanese government considers protest or sanctions against Russia

    Likely · Within weeks

Open Questions

  • What evidence is there that the reporter was actually spying?
  • What measures will the Japanese government take in the future?
  • The current situation of the detained reporter and whether he has a lawyer or not.
  • The long-term impact of this detention on news activities between Japan and Russia

Related Topics

Russian Federal Security Service
PeopleJapanese male reporter
OrganizationsRussian Federal Security Service (FSB)Hokkaido Shimbun Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk BureauMinistry of Foreign Affairs of RussiaEmbassy of Japan in Russia
Placessakhalin oblastKuril IslandsmoscowYuzhno-Sakhalinsk
TopicsFSBHokkaido ShimbunYuzhno-Sakhalinsk branch officeKuril IslandsNorthern Territories
This article was originally published by 時事通信.

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