Two Russian journalists, Konstantin Gabov and Sergey Karelin, have been arrested by the Russian government on charges of extremism for allegedly working for a group founded by the late Alexei Navalny. They have been ordered to remain in custody for a minimum of two months pending investigation and trial, facing potential prison sentences of two to six years for their alleged participation in an extremist organization. These arrests are part of a larger crackdown on dissent and independent media in Russia, which has intensified since the country’s invasion of Ukraine over two years ago. Laws have been passed criminalizing false information about the military, making it illegal to criticize the war in Ukraine or deviate from the official narrative.
One of the journalists, Sergei Mingazov, who worked for the Russian edition of Forbes magazine, was also detained on charges of spreading false information about the Russian military. Gabov and Karelin are accused of preparing materials for a YouTube channel run by Navalny’s Foundation for Fighting Corruption, which has been outlawed by Russian authorities. Navalny himself died in a penal colony earlier this year. Gabov, a freelance producer, has worked for multiple organizations including Reuters, while Karelin, a cameraman for German media outlet Deutsche Welle, was detained in Russia’s northern Murmansk region. The Associated Press expressed concern over Karelin’s detention and is seeking additional information.
Russia’s crackdown on dissent targets a wide range of individuals, including opposition figures, journalists, activists, LGBTQ+ community members, and ordinary Russians critical of the Kremlin. Several journalists have been jailed for their coverage of Navalny, including Antonina Favorskaya, who remains in pre-trial detention until at least May 28. Favorskaya was accused of taking part in an extremist organization by posting on Navalny’s Foundation’s social media platforms, despite denying any involvement. Another journalist, Evan Gershkovich, an American reporter for The Wall Street Journal, is awaiting trial on espionage charges at Moscow’s Lefortovo Prison, with both him and his employer denying the charges.
The U.S. government has declared Gershkovich to be wrongfully detained, accusing Moscow of using him as a political pawn. The Russian government has also targeted opposition figures, sentencing prominent activist Vladimir Kara-Murza to 25 years in prison. The crackdown on dissent and independent media in Russia reflects a broader trend of authoritarianism and censorship in the country, with journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens facing increasing repression for expressing criticism of the government. International organizations and governments have expressed concern over the deteriorating situation for press freedom in Russia, calling for the release of detained journalists and an end to the suppression of dissent.
