Consider This from NPR Eggs and Bananas: Life after a Russian prison
Aug 27, 2024
Alsu Kurmasheva, a Russian-American journalist for Radio Free Europe, shares her harrowing account of being imprisoned in Russia for not registering as a foreign agent. She candidly discusses the psychological toll of isolation and her resilience through reading and family support. Kurmasheva reflects on her gratitude for freedom and the difficult transition back to life, while also addressing the moral complexities of journalism during wartime and the ethics surrounding prisoner swaps. Her insights into survival and strength are both profound and inspiring.
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Despair in Captivity
- Alsu Kurmasheva describes her despair during the cold winter in Russian captivity.
- Her captors discouraged her, claiming nobody wanted her back and predicting a long sentence.
Daily Prison Routine
- Kurmasheva details her daily prison routine, including the 6 a.m. wake-up call and limited time outside her cell.
- She emphasizes the harsh conditions, particularly the lack of basic hygiene and the traumatizing sound of unlocking doors.
Book and its consequences
- Kurmasheva co-edited a book featuring stories of Russians opposing the war in Ukraine.
- She does not regret the book despite the consequences, emphasizing the importance of truth-telling in journalism.