Russian Court Sentences Four Journalists to Prison for Alleged Extremism Ties to Navalny

Moscow court sentenced four Russian journalists—Antonina Favorskaya, Sergei Karelin, Konstantin Gabov, and Artem Kriger—to five and a half years in prison each on charges of extremism. The prosecution alleged their involvement with the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), an organization founded by the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, which has been banned in Russia and designated as an extremist group. The journalists denied the charges, asserting that their work was independent and journalistic. The trial was conducted behind closed doors, raising concerns among press freedom advocates about the transparency and fairness of the proceedings.

The case has drawn international criticism, with organizations such as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemning the sentences as politically motivated and an attack on press freedom. The CPJ called for the immediate release of the journalists, stating that their convictions “highlight the Kremlin’s ongoing crackdown on independent journalism and dissent.” RSF described the verdict as “a clear message to journalists in Russia that critical reporting will not be tolerated.”

The sentencing of Favorskaya, Karelin, Gabov, and Kriger underscores the escalating repression of independent media in Russia, particularly following the invasion of Ukraine. Since the onset of the war, numerous journalists have been detained, charged, or forced into exile, reflecting a broader pattern of state-led suppression of dissenting voices.

The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, urging Russian authorities to uphold international standards of press freedom and to ensure that journalists can operate without fear of retribution.