Russian Journalists Arrested on Extremism Charges
Two Russian journalists, Konstantin Gabov and Sergey Karelin, have been arrested on charges of extremism and ordered to remain in custody pending an investigation.
Charges Against the Russian Journalists
- Gabov was detained in Moscow, while Karelin, also an Israeli citizen, was arrested in Russia’s Murmansk region.
- Gabov is accused of preparing material for the YouTube channel “Navalny LIVE,” associated with Alexei Navalny.
- Karelin is accused of working on materials for a YouTube channel created by Navalny’s associates and employees of the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) NGO.
The organization founded by Navalny has been labeled an extremist group in Russia. Both journalists face a minimum of two years and a maximum of six years in prison for their alleged involvement.
Gabov will be held in pre-trial detention until June 27, while details about Karelin’s detention are pending.
Russia’s Crackdown on Journalists
Both Gabov and Karelin have previously worked for international news organizations. Karelin, 41, worked as a cameraman for DW until the broadcaster was banned in Russia. Gabov, a freelance producer, has worked for Reuters and other organizations.
Russia has intensified its crackdown on dissent targeting independent media, journalists, activists, and opposition figures. Several journalists, including Antonina Favorskaya, have been arrested for their coverage of Navalny.
Speaking to DW, Sergey Lukashevsky of the Andrei Sakharov Center for Human Rights expressed concerns about the charges, calling it a repressive strategy.
Other Journalists Facing Legal Action
Alsu Kurmasheva from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Evan Gershkovich from the Wall Street Journal are also detained by Russian authorities.
Forbes Russia journalist Sergei Mingazov, arrested for spreading alleged fake news about Moscow’s army, has been placed under house arrest as he awaits trial.
