Russian Court Convicts Journalists of Extremism, Sentences Them to Prison

A Russian court delivered guilty verdicts to four journalists on Tuesday, convicting them of extremism. Each journalist received a sentence of five and a half years in prison. The charges stemmed from their work with an anti-corruption group established by the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

The convicted journalists, Antonina Favorskaya, Kostantin Gabov, Sergey Karelin, and Artyom Kriger, all maintained their innocence. They argued that they were being prosecuted solely for fulfilling their professional duties as journalists. The trial was conducted behind closed doors.

This case is part of a broader, intensified crackdown on dissent within Russia. This crackdown has escalated significantly since the deployment of Russian troops into Ukraine in February 2022. The authorities have targeted a wide range of individuals, including opposition figures, independent journalists, human rights activists, and ordinary citizens who have voiced criticism of the Kremlin. This has resulted in the imprisonment of hundreds and prompted thousands to leave the country to avoid prosecution.

Favorskaya and Kriger were associated with SotaVision, an independent Russian news outlet that focuses on covering protests and political trials. Gabov worked as a freelance producer for various organizations, including Reuters. Karelin, also a freelance video journalist, had contributed to Western media outlets, including The Associated Press.

The four journalists were accused of collaborating with Navalny’s Foundation for Fighting Corruption. The foundation was labeled as extremist and subsequently outlawed in 2021, a move widely viewed as politically motivated. Navalny was a prominent and vocal critic of President Vladimir Putin, known for his relentless campaigns against corruption within the Russian government.

Navalny passed away in February 2024 while serving a 19-year sentence in an Arctic penal colony. The charges against him included running an extremist group, which he had consistently denied, claiming they were politically motivated.