Russia detains Japanese journalist on espionage allegations
publishers 20articles 21first reported 13 Oct, 16:30 UTCdeveloping since 13 Oct · 8 editions
Russia has detained Japanese journalist Yuki Imai in the far eastern Sakhalin region and charged him with espionage, according to Russian authorities.
Russia’s Federal Security Service alleged that Imai, a reporter for the Hokkaido Shimbun newspaper, collected information about Russian defence capabilities while acting on instructions from Japanese intelligence. Russian reports said he was detained shortly before he was due to leave the country, transferred to Moscow and ordered held in pre-trial detention until December 12. Espionage convictions in Russia can carry prison sentences of up to 20 years.
The FSB released footage showing masked officers entering a hotel room and handcuffing a man. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Tokyo of using accredited correspondents to gather information that could undermine Russian security and said the episode would further damage bilateral relations.
Japan’s Foreign Ministry summoned Russian Ambassador Nikolay Nozdrev on Wednesday and lodged a protest, saying Moscow had not provided an explanation. Japanese officials requested information, consular access, humanitarian consideration and fair treatment for the detained journalist. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said officials had been unable to contact him and did not know his condition.
Hokkaido Shimbun said it was still confirming the details and that ensuring its reporter’s safety was its priority.
The detention comes amid strained relations over Japan’s sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and a longstanding dispute over four Russian-controlled islands in the Kuril chain that Japan claims as its Northern Territories.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 5 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 27 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 20
- Source articles
- 21
- Given to the writer
- 8, 5 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 27 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
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