Exiled Russian journalist Yury Dud faces potential investigation for treason

A prominent Russian journalist and YouTuber recently arrested in absentia may now be investigated for treason, Russian state news agency TASS reported on Friday, citing a source in the security services.

Yury Dud, the host of a popular YouTube interview show, was arrested in absentia on Tuesday by a Moscow court for failing to comply with his obligations as a “foreign agent”, namely for “gathering military-related information that a foreign state could potentially use against Russia”, the agency reported.

On Thursday, one day before reports emerged suggesting he could be under investigation for treason, Dud published an interview with Michael McFaul, a former US ambassador to Russia.

Prior to his arrest in absentia, Dud had been twice previously fined by Russian courts for distributing information and materials without indicating his status as a “foreign agent”. He has lived outside of Russia since 2022.

In April 2022, Dud was designated by the Russian Justice Ministry as a “foreign agent”. In March 2024, Dud stopped using the “foreign agent” label in his videos, and requested that businesses outside Russia refrain from purchasing advertising from him.

In Russia, individuals labelled as “foreign agents” are required to mark all publicly published content with a disclaimer, regularly report their income and activities, and submit to heightened state oversight.

Violating “foreign agent” regulations is punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment, while treason carries harsher sentences up to life in prison.