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Russia Today and Vocativ journalists covering Donald Trump inauguration protests face potential 10-year jail terms | Russia Today and Vocativ journalists covering Donald Trump inauguration protests face potential 10-year jail terms |
(about 20 hours later) | |
A pair of journalists arrested during protests in Washington DC against Donald Trump's Presidential inauguration are facing up to 10-years behind bars. | |
Evan Engel of the technology news website Vocativ and Alex Rubinstein of Russia Today (RT) America have been charged under rioting law. | |
Both have protested their innocence and they have the full backing of their employers. | |
The pair were covering the unrest in the US capital which erupted as Donald Trump was being sworn in as 45th US president. | |
Police said more than $5,000 (£4,011) in damage was caused when people, wearing black clothing and balaclavas, smashed shop windows and burned police vehicles in an apparent anti-Capitalist demonstration. | |
More than 200 people were arrested including Mr Engel and Mr Rubinstein. The pair were released after brief court appearances. | |
They are accused of "Charge #1: Riot Act - Felony Charge" according to the court records, seen by The Independent. | |
As a result they face a maximum jail term of 10-years and financial penalties of up to $25,000 (£20,061). | As a result they face a maximum jail term of 10-years and financial penalties of up to $25,000 (£20,061). |
The police did not name the pair on the day but a statement referred to groups of rioters. | The police did not name the pair on the day but a statement referred to groups of rioters. |
“The group damaged vehicles, destroyed the property of multiple businesses, and ignited smaller isolated fires while armed with crowbars [and hammers]," it said. “Preliminary information indicates the group collectively engaged in these criminal acts.” | “The group damaged vehicles, destroyed the property of multiple businesses, and ignited smaller isolated fires while armed with crowbars [and hammers]," it said. “Preliminary information indicates the group collectively engaged in these criminal acts.” |
It added that pepper spray was used and that two uniformed officers suffered minor injuries from “coordinated attacks”. | It added that pepper spray was used and that two uniformed officers suffered minor injuries from “coordinated attacks”. |
RT confirmed Mr Rubinstein had been arrested and that he was released the following day. | |
“I was hit in the face with a flash grenade, it blinded me for a moment and my ears were ringing for a while,” said Mr Rubinstein, who claimed he showed his media credentials to police. | “I was hit in the face with a flash grenade, it blinded me for a moment and my ears were ringing for a while,” said Mr Rubinstein, who claimed he showed his media credentials to police. |
A Vocativ spokesman called the charges against their reporter "an affront to the First Amendment and journalistic freedom." | |
They added that they would "vigorously contest this unfounded and outrageous charge.” | They added that they would "vigorously contest this unfounded and outrageous charge.” |
Mr Engel is due back at the District of Columbia courts on 15 February when Mr Rubinstein will also appear. | Mr Engel is due back at the District of Columbia courts on 15 February when Mr Rubinstein will also appear. |
An RT statement reads: “The arrest and subsequent felony rioting charge against our reporter, Alexander Rubinstein, simply for doing his job – covering inauguration protests in Washington DC – is an absolute outrage. | |
"Such acts represent an egregious violation of journalistic freedom, and are particularly disheartening to witness in the country that positions itself as the global champion of free press. | |
"RT will apply the full weight of its legal team in support of our journalist and we are confident that a thorough review by the US Attorney’s office will confirm that Alexander, who wore his press credentials at all times, was wrongfully arrested.” | |
The Independent has contacted the two men and their attorneys for further comment. | |
William Miller, a spokesman for the US attorney's office said: “Generally speaking, we are continuing to evaluate evidence and continuing to investigate the events of Jan 20, 2017 and are always open to receiving additional information." | William Miller, a spokesman for the US attorney's office said: “Generally speaking, we are continuing to evaluate evidence and continuing to investigate the events of Jan 20, 2017 and are always open to receiving additional information." |
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