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April 10, 2025 – Russia –
On April 10, 2025, a Moscow court sentenced four journalists—Antonina Favorskaya, Artyom Kriger, Sergey Karelin, and Konstantin Gabov—to five and a half years in prison for alleged involvement with the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), which was designated as an extremist organization by Russian authorities in 2021.
Favorskaya and Kriger were affiliated with the independent outlet SotaVision, known for covering protests and political trials. Gabov and Karelin worked as freelance journalists for international media organizations, including Reuters and the Associated Press. The journalists were accused of producing content for FBK’s YouTube channel, though they denied any wrongdoing, asserting they were being prosecuted for performing their journalistic duties.
The trial, conducted behind closed doors since October 2024, has been criticized by press freedom advocates as part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Russia, particularly following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Human rights group Memorial has declared all four journalists political prisoners.
In their final statements, the journalists emphasized their commitment to independent journalism. Kriger stated he was imprisoned “only because I have conscientiously carried out my professional duties as an honest, incorruptible and independent journalist.” Gabov highlighted the lack of evidence against them, asserting that independent journalism is being equated to extremism in Russia.
The sentencing underscores the increasing risks faced by journalists in Russia and has drawn international condemnation. Advocates continue to call for the immediate release of the journalists and for the protection of press freedom in the country.
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