Russia has reportedly arrested two more journalists on suspicion of extremism. The journalists are Russian citizens but worked for Western news agencies.
They are the Russian-Israeli citizen Sergey Karelin, who worked for Deutsche Welle and the American news agency Associated Press (AP), among others – and the Russian freelance journalist Konstantin Gabov, who worked for the Reuters news agency, among others.
Gabov also worked for the Russian television channels Moscow 24 and Mir 24 as well as the Belarusian channel Belsat TV. Belsat operates in Poland.
Both men are accused of “extremism” because they allegedly worked for the now deceased opposition figure Alexei Navalny. According to Russian authorities, the men helped prepare material for a YouTube channel linked to Navalny’s anti-corruption foundation.
The journalists deny the allegations. If convicted, you could still face a prison sentence of two to six years.
Organizations linked to Navalny have been banned in Russia since 2021 because they are considered extremist.
Navalny died under unclear circumstances in a penal colony in Siberia at the beginning of the year.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to be a journalist in Russia
Earlier this week, journalist Sergey Mingazov, who works for Russia’s Forbes, was also arrested. He is accused of criticizing the Russian military.
Press freedom has already been severely restricted in Russia, but with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the influence became even stronger.
In recent months, authorities have further restricted the reporting ability of independent and foreign journalists.
The same year as the invasion, a law was introduced allowing people to be sentenced to 15 years in prison for spreading disinformation about the war and the Russian military, which the Kremlin considers to be disinformation.
It has become increasingly difficult for foreign journalists to work with the war of aggression in Russia. Many in particular have their accreditation revoked or not renewed.
In October 2023, Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, working for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, was arrested for failing to register as a “foreign agent” in accordance with Russian regulations.
At the beginning of last year, American Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich was also arrested. He is accused of espionage, which both he and the US authorities deny.
Sources: AP, AFP, BBC
