Sergej Karelin, journalist. /Photo: AP
Two Russian journalists – Konstantin Gabov and Sergei Karelin – have been arrested and are now facing charges of “extremism” after working for a foundation set up by the late Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny to combat corruption.
They are now in custody in Russia, awaiting investigation and trial, AP reports. The journalists deny the accusations, which are seen as yet another part of Putin’s stated strategy to crack down on “dissidents”.
According to Russian courts, they risk a minimum of two years in prison and a maximum of six years in prison for alleged “participation in an extremist organization.”
Gabov was arrested in Moscow and has, among other things, worked for Reuters. Karelin, was arrested in the Murmansk region in northern Russia and has worked for AP and German Deutsche Welle.
Several journalists accused of working for Navalny have previously been arrested – including Evan Gershkovich, a 32-year-old American reporter for the Wall Street Journal. He is awaiting trial for espionage in Moscow’s notorious Lefortovo prison.
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