- Authorities convicted and sentenced four journalists with ties to the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny to nearly six years behind bars after finding them guilty of extremism. The journalists maintain their innocence and said authorities targeted them for simply performing their duties as reporters.
- Some of the journalists freelanced for global publications such as The Associated Press and Reuters.
- Lawyers for the journalists said they expect to appeal their sentences.
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A Kremlin court convicted four journalists on Tuesday, April 15, on charges of extremism. The group of journalists reportedly worked for the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny under an anti-corruption organization he founded.
Who are the journalists that authorities convicted?
The journalists convicted include Antonina Favorskaya, Konstantin Gabov, Sergey Karelin and Artyom Kriger, according to multiple reports.
A Moscow district court sentenced each of the four journalists to 5 1/2 years behind bars after finding them guilty of working for Navalny’s Foundation for Fighting Corruption. President Vladimir Putin designated the group as an “extremist” group and “foreign agent.”
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According to Reuters, prosecutors accused the journalists of producing content for Navalny’s organization’s YouTube channel, which is outlawed in Russia.
All of those convicted said they are innocent and that Putin targeted them for simply performing their basic duties as journalists.
Are journalists in danger in Russia?
The sentences come as the Kremlin continues its crackdown on voices of opposition, including protesters, journalists and politicians who do not show unwavering support for Putin, especially after Moscow’s war in Ukraine began in February 2022.
CBS News reported that authorities have imprisoned hundreds of people identified as activists, journalists or opposition leaders, and thousands have fled Russia to avoid political persecution.
Favorskaya and Kriger worked for an independent Russian news publication known for covering political activism and political corruption cases.
Gabov worked as a freelance journalist, covering news for international news agencies like Reuters. Karelin also worked as a freelance videographer and has worked with The Associated Press.
One of the journalists’ lawyers said the four would appeal their sentences, calling them “unlawful and unjust.” The defense team further argued that there is “no evidence” to suggest their clients “committed any crimes.”
Who was Alexei Navalny?
Before his death, Navalny was a major critic of Putin. Navalny died in 2024 while serving a nearly 20-year sentence that his supporters said was meant to punish him for his opposition to Putin and his fight against corruption in Russia.
Navalny’s widow, Yulia, reportedly expressed support for the journalists in the wake of their conviction. Through her press secretary, she called for their immediate release and echoed their statements that authorities are punishing them for performing basic journalistic duties.
Why do those convicted believe authorities targeted them?
Favorskaya previously said she believed the Kremlin singled her out because she did a report on the abuse Navalny endured while imprisoned.
Gabov noted in his closing statement that he understood “what kind of country I live in.” He also said that in Russia, the government is equating journalism to extremism.
“Throughout history, Russia has never been different, there is nothing new in the current situation. Independent journalism is equated to extremism,” Gabov said, according to the Novaya Gazeta newspaper.
