Russian-American journalist Masha Gessen has been granted access into Australia after initially facing visa delays due to criminal charges handed down by Russia.

The journalist, who has been openly critical of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was scheduled to arrive in Australia last weekend. They were planning to speak at events at the Wheeler Centre and the Festival of Dangerous Ideas. Their visa had been delayed after the Department of Home Affairs demanded police and FBI checks from Russia and the United States

In thier absence from Russia, Gessen was sentenced by to eight years imprisonment for reporting on Russian war crimes in Ukraine. They are one of approximately 250 people who have faced charges under these laws. Gessen spoke to ABC Radio this morning revealing that they had been granted their visa, but were still unsure when they would arrive in Australia.

“I actually just heard, minutes before I got online, that the visa has finally been granted,” they said.

Gessen said they had been “surprised” to hear of Australia delaying the visa after outlining their previous conviction in their application.

“I indicated on my application, honestly, that I had been convicted by a Russian court,” they said.

“While my [visa] application was pending, I was tried in absentia and sentenced to eight years in prison.”

In the interview on ABC Radio Gessen revealed the unique terms of their conviction.

“I am abroad, so not actually in prison, and they can’t actually do anything to me except try to constrain my movement and intimidate me, which is their whole purpose here,” they said.

The journalist will arrive in Australia sometime later this week.

Photo: Masha Gessen by Bokmassan is available HERE and is used under a Creative Commons Licence. This image has not been modified.