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January 17, 2025 – Russia –
Russian police detained multiple journalists in the town of Petushki, near Vladimir, as they attempted to attend the court hearing for three former lawyers of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The lawyers—Vadim Kobzev, Alexey Lipster, and Igor Sergunin—were facing sentencing on charges of participating in an “extremist organization,” a label the Russian state has used to target Navalny’s supporters.
As accredited journalists arrived by train from Moscow to cover the high-profile trial, police intercepted them at the station. Some were taken directly to the Petushki police precinct for “identity checks.” Mikhail Lebedev, a reporter with independent outlet SotaVision, was reportedly flagged under a theft “alert” and remained in custody for several hours along with other journalists and one Navalny supporter. Another journalist was detained near the courthouse and also brought to the same precinct.
Despite their detentions, the hearing proceeded. Russian prosecutors demanded at least five years in prison for each of the lawyers. The final sentences were:
- Vadim Kobzev: 5.5 years
- Alexey Lipster: 5 years
- Igor Sergunin: 3.5 years
The arrests of the journalists drew criticism from press freedom advocates, who view the move as a deliberate attempt to block coverage of politically sensitive proceedings. Human rights organizations have also condemned the sentencing of Navalny’s lawyers as part of a larger campaign to dismantle his legal and political support network.
The case is widely seen as part of the Kremlin’s broader crackdown on dissent, targeting not only activists and opposition figures but also those who defend them in court or report on their persecution. By criminalizing legal defense and obstructing journalistic access, the Russian state continues to undermine both the rule of law and press freedom.
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