Russian journalist Sergei Karelin has been detained in Russia for “extremism” after being accused of making videos for the team of late dissident Alexei Navalny, the Associated Press reported on Sunday. Karelin is the second journalist to be arrested on such allegations, following Konstantin Gabov who was detained the day before. The Associated Press expressed concerns over Karelin’s detention and stated that they are seeking additional information. Gabov, who also worked for Russian television channels and a Belarusian news agency, will remain in pre-trial detention until at least June 27, as per the courts’ press service.
Karelin and Gabov are accused of preparing videos for the YouTube channel NavalnyLIVE, used by Navalny’s team. Navalny, who was President Vladimir Putin’s most prominent critic, died in dubious circumstances in February. His movement has been labeled as “extremist”, leaving its staff and supporters vulnerable to prosecution. Most of Navalny’s allies are either in exile or serving long prison sentences. The Russian government has intensified its crackdown on independent and foreign media in an attempt to stifle dissent following the conflict with Ukraine.
In addition to Karelin and Gabov, other journalists in Russia have also been targeted by authorities. Photographer Antonina Kravtsova was arrested on “extremism” charges in March after covering Navalny’s trials for a media organization considered a “foreign agent” by the government. Russian journalist Sergei Mingazov was detained on Friday and accused of spreading “false information” about army abuses in Ukraine. Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich is facing accusations of espionage, which he and US authorities deny. Alsu Kurmasheva, a Russian-American journalist working for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, has been in prison since October for failing to register as a “foreign agent” as required by the authorities.
The recent arrests of journalists in Russia reflect the government’s efforts to silence dissenting voices and tighten control over the media. With Navalny’s movement labeled as “extremist” and most of his allies either exiled or imprisoned, independent journalists are facing increasing risks of persecution. The crackdown on media has intensified in recent months, with several journalists being detained on various charges related to their coverage of political issues. The restrictions on press freedom in Russia have drawn criticism from international media organizations and human rights groups.
The arrests of Karelin and Gabov have raised concerns about the safety and freedom of journalists in Russia, particularly those working for independent or foreign media outlets. The accusations of “extremism” and other charges against journalists covering sensitive political topics indicate a growing trend of government censorship and crackdown on press freedom. The detention of journalists for their reporting on Navalny and other political issues underscores the challenges faced by media professionals in Russia today. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely and call for the release of journalists unjustly detained for their work.
As the Russian government tightens its grip on the media and targets journalists critical of the regime, the need for press freedom and protection of journalists’ rights becomes increasingly urgent. The imprisonment of journalists like Karelin, Gabov, Kravtsova, Mingazov, Gershkovich, and Kurmasheva highlights the risks faced by those who dare to speak out against government repression and human rights violations. The international community must continue to advocate for the release of journalists in Russia and support efforts to protect freedom of the press and ensure journalists can carry out their work without fear of persecution or reprisal.
