journalists Konstantin Gabov and Sergey Karelin, both of whom have worked for DW and other international media in the past, have been arrested over similar accusations of “extremism.”
The accusations against both are linked to YouTube videos published on the channel that was once run by late opposition leader .
but the YouTube channel is still active and managed by his aides and allies. Navalny’s movement is , meaning his staff and supporters can face prosecution.
Gabov was detained in Moscow, while Karelin, who also has Israeli citizenship, was detained in Russia’s northern Murmansk region.
What do we know about the charges?
Gabov worked for the Russian broadcasters Moskva 24 and MIR, according to media reports. Additionally, he had worked with the news agency Belsat and for Reuters news agency. In 2019 and 2020, Gabov also worked as DW’s correspondent in .
On Saturday, court officials said Gabov was accused of participating “in preparing photo and video material” for the YouTube channel “Navalny LIVE.”
Officials said the channel was created by , which was founded by the late opposition figure and is designated as an extremist group in Russia.
Similar charges were leveled at Karelin, who also worked for DW as a cameraman until the Kremlin banned the outlet from operating in Russia in February 2022.
Karelin also worked for The Associated Press.
Gabov is to be held in pre-trial detention until June 27. If convicted, he could face two to six years in prison. Details on Karelin’s detention have yet to be made public.
Russia’s crackdown on journalists
The arrests are only the latest in Russia’s clampdown on critical reporters, which has escalated since the start of .
In March, photographer Antonina Favorskaya was arrested after also being accused of “extremism” for covering Navalny’s trials for independent Russian news outlet SOTAvision. The organization is .
, has been in prison since October for not registering as a “foreign agent.”
Also, Russian officials are holding on espionage charges. Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal and the US government have all denied the claims.
A journalist for the Russian edition of Forbes magazine, SergeiMingazov, on charges of spreading false information about the Russian military, his lawyer said Friday.
sdi/sms (AP, AFP, Interfax)
This article has been updated with additional details on the arrest of Sergey Karelin.
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