The Russian government has detained two journalists on charges of “extremism” for their alleged involvement with a group linked to the late opposition leader Alexey Navalny. Konstantin Gabov and Sergey Karelin are facing up to six years in prison for their supposed ties to an extremist organization.
These arrests are part of a broader crackdown on dissent and independent media in Russia, which has escalated since the country’s invasion of Ukraine. Laws have been passed to criminalize any information deemed false or critical of the military, effectively silencing any opposition to the official narrative.
Another journalist, Sergei Mingazov, was also detained for spreading false information about the Russian military. Gabov and Karelin are accused of producing content for a YouTube channel associated with Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation, which has been banned by the Russian government.
Gabov, a freelance producer with experience at Reuters, was arrested in Moscow, while Karelin, who holds dual citizenship with Israel, was detained in the Murmansk region. Karelin, 41, has worked for various media outlets, including The Associated Press and Deutsche Welle.
The situation highlights the challenges faced by journalists in Russia and the risks they take to report on sensitive issues. The arrests serve as a reminder of the ongoing suppression of free speech and independent journalism in the country.
Source from www.aljazeera.com