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July 29, 2025 – Russia –
A Russian court sentenced journalist Olga Komleva to six years in prison for allegedly participating in an “extremist organization” linked to the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Komleva, 33, was found guilty of being involved in the activities of Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation, which was outlawed as extremist by Russian authorities in 2021. Her arrest and trial mark yet another escalation in the Kremlin’s crackdown on dissent, particularly targeting individuals associated with Navalny’s movement.
Komleva had previously contributed to media projects associated with Navalny’s team, and prosecutors accused her of continuing to support the group’s efforts even after it was banned. Her lawyers stated that she ceased involvement years earlier and that the charges were based solely on her past journalism and political commentary. The trial was held behind closed doors in Moscow, and little detail was provided about the evidence presented against her.
The ruling comes amid a broader wave of repression in Russia following Navalny’s death in a remote Arctic prison in early 2024. Authorities have since intensified efforts to suppress any lingering support for his legacy. Human rights groups say the use of “extremism” charges has become a standard tool to silence opposition voices, with dozens of activists, journalists, and former Navalny allies detained or imprisoned over the past year.
International organizations quickly condemned Komleva’s sentencing. Amnesty International described it as a “clear violation of freedom of expression,” and Reporters Without Borders warned that it would have a chilling effect on independent journalism in Russia. The U.S. State Department also issued a statement calling for her immediate release and for Russia to stop criminalizing dissent.
Komleva’s imprisonment underscores the shrinking space for press freedom and political opposition in Russia. Her case follows a growing trend of journalists being jailed under vague laws, often after secretive trials. Despite international criticism, the Kremlin maintains that such prosecutions are lawful and denies targeting journalists for their work.
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