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Konstantin Gabov and Sergey Karelin deny accusations of “extremism” linked to the group based by the late anti-Putin dissident.
Two Russian journalists have been arrested by their authorities on costs of “extremism” and ordered by the courts to stay in custody pending investigation and trial on costs of working for a gaggle based by the late Russian opposition politician Alexey Navalny.
Konstantin Gabov and Sergey Karelin each denied the fees for which they are going to be held for a minimum of two months earlier than a trial begins. Based on Russian courts, every of them faces a minimal of two years and a most of six years in jail for alleged “participation in an extremist group.”
They’re simply the newest journalists arrested throughout Russia’s crackdown on dissent and unbiased media, which intensified after the huge invasion of Ukraine greater than two years in the past.
The Russian authorities has handed legal guidelines criminalizing what it considers false details about the navy, or statements seen as discrediting the navy, successfully banning any criticism of the battle in Ukraine or any speech that deviates from official story is banned.
A journalist for the Russian version of Forbes journal, Sergei Mingazov, has been arrested on costs of spreading false details about the Russian navy, his lawyer mentioned on Friday.
Gabov and Karelin are accused of making ready materials for a YouTube channel of Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Basis, which has been banned by Russian authorities. Navalny, President Vladimir Putin’s most outstanding critic, died in February below murky circumstances in a penal colony within the Arctic.
Gabov, who was detained in Moscow on Saturday, is a contract producer who has labored for a number of organizations, together with the Reuters information company, the courtroom’s press service mentioned.
Karelin, who has twin citizenship with Israel, was arrested on Friday night in Russia’s northern Murmansk area.
Karelin, 41, has labored for a variety of media retailers, together with The Related Press. He was a cameraman for the German media outlet Deutsche Welle till the Kremlin banned it from working in Russia in February 2022.
“The Related Press is deeply involved concerning the detention of Russian video journalist Sergei Karelin,” the AP mentioned in a press release. “We’re on the lookout for further info.”
Russia’s crackdown on dissent has focused opposition figures, journalists, activists, members of the LGBTQ group and Russians essential of the Kremlin. Numerous journalists have been jailed for his or her reporting on Navalny, together with Antonina Favorskaya, who will stay in pre-trial detention till a minimum of Might 28 after a listening to final month.
Favorskaya was arrested by Russian authorities and accused of collaborating in an “extremist group” by posting messages on the social media platforms of the Navalny Basis. She lined Navalny’s hearings for years and filmed Navalny’s final video earlier than he died within the penal colony.
Kira Yarmysh, Navalny’s spokeswoman, mentioned Favorskaya had not printed something on the inspiration’s platforms and urged that Russian authorities had focused her for doing her job as a journalist.
Evan Gershkovich, a 32-year-old American reporter for The Wall Road Journal, is awaiting trial on espionage costs in Moscow’s notorious Lefortovo jail. Each Gershkovich and his employer have vehemently denied the allegations.
Gershkovich was arrested in March 2023 whereas on a reporting journey and spent greater than a yr in jail; Authorities haven’t detailed what proof they must assist the spying allegations.
The US authorities has wrongfully detained Gershkovich, with officers accusing Moscow of utilizing the journalist as a pawn for political functions.
The Russian authorities has additionally cracked down on opposition figures. A outstanding activist, Vladimir Kara-Murza, was sentenced to 25 years in jail.
Two Russian journalists arrested for alleged work for the Navalny group | Press Freedom Information
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