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Russian Editor Faces 15 Days In Jail Following Traffic Incident


A Russian magazine editor says she faces up to 15 days in jail following an incident with Moscow traffic police.

Yevgenia Albats, who runs one of Russia's top opposition publications, "The New Times," said she was summoned to court on December 30.

Albats said she had been stopped in her car by traffic police on December 27 and asked for identification.

She said she complied, but was nevertheless accused of disobeying police.

The state-controlled television channel NTV later aired footage of the exchange, claiming that police were forced to chase Albats when she refused to pull over.

The incident comes amid growing Kremlin pressure on journalists, protesters, and political opponents.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who faces international criticism and sanctions for Russia's actions in Ukraine, has increasingly sought to stifle critical voices at home as the country's economy flounders.

Based on reporting by RFE/RL's Russian Service and AFP

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

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