Two Russian journalists detained over ‘extremism’ after allegedly working for Navalny group

Russian journalists, Konstantin Gabov and Sergey Karelin were arrested on charges of “extremism” and have been ordered by the courts, on Saturday (Apr 27) to remain in custody pending an investigation for allegedly working for a group founded by the late Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny.

Charges against the Russian journalists

The two Russian journalists, who have denied the charges against them, would be detained for a minimum of two months before any trials begin, reported the Associated Press. 

Gabov was detained in the Russian capital city of Moscow. Meanwhile, Karelin, who is also an Israeli citizen was arrested from Russia’s northern Murmansk region, on Friday (Apr 26) night. 

Gabov has been accused of participating “in preparing photo and video material” for the YouTube channel “Navalny LIVE,” reported Deutsche Welle (DW) citing court officials. 

Karelin has also been accused of preparing materials for the YouTube channel which was created by Navalny’s associates and employees of the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) NGO. 

The organisation founded by the late Russian opposition leader has been designated as an extremist group in Russia.

Gabov and Karelin face a minimum of two years in prison and a maximum of six years for alleged “participation in an extremist organization,” according to the Russian courts. 

Gabov will be held in pre-trial detention until June 27, while the details about Karelin’s detention are yet to be made public. 

Russia’s crackdown on journalists

Both Gabov and Karelin have previously worked for DW and other international news organisations. 

Karelin, 41, was working for DW as a cameraman until the German broadcaster was banned from operating in Russia. He has also worked for the AP. 

“The Associated Press is very concerned by the detention of Russian video journalist Sergey Karelin,” said the news agency in a statement, adding that it is “seeking additional information.”

Meanwhile, Gabov is a freelance producer and has also worked for several organisations including Reuters, said the Russian court press service. 

However, Reuters later released a statement saying that Gabov had previously "occasionally contributed to the Reuters news file," but "does not do any work for Reuters at this time."

He was DW’s correspondent in Moscow in 2019 and 2020. Gabov reportedly also worked for the Russian broadcasters Moskva 24 and MIR, and Belarusian news agency Belsat. 

In recent years, Russia has ramped up its crackdown on dissent aimed at independent media, journalists, activists, and opposition figures. 

Several journalists have been arrested for their coverage of Navalny, who died in an Arctic penal colony in February, including photographer Antonina Favorskaya. 

Favorskaya was arrested last month and has been accused of participating in an “extremist organization” after she posted on the social media platforms of Navalny’s Foundation and covered his court hearings for years. 

She also filmed the last video of the Russian opposition leader before his death. 

Speaking to DW on Sunday (Apr 28), the director of the Andrei Sakharov Center for Human Rights, Sergey Lukashevsky, said that Gabov and Karelin would be found guilty. 

He explained that extremism charges could be levelled against individuals for “any connections, any contact with somebody of the Navalny team,” and called it a “repressive strategy.”

Russia-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, who works for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich are also being held by Russian authorities. 

Forbes Russia journalist placed under house arrest 

Sergei Mingazov, a journalist for Forbes Russia who was arrested for allegedly spreading “fake news” about Moscow’s army has been placed under house arrest by the court, reported Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, on Saturday (Apr 27). 

He will be under house arrest for at least two months as he awaits trial after being detained on Friday. According to Mingazov’s lawyer, he was detained for reposting articles about alleged Russian war crimes in Bucha, a suburb near the Ukrainian capital.

(With inputs from agencies)