Four Journalists Sentenced to Prison for Alleged Extremism in Russia

• Apr 15, 2025

On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, a Russian court convicted four journalists of extremism for their involvement with an anti-corruption group founded by the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny. They were each sentenced to five and a half years in prison. The convicted journalists—Antonina Favorskaya, Konstantin Gabov, Sergey Karelin, and Artyom Kriger—had all maintained their innocence, arguing they were being prosecuted for their work as journalists.

The trial was part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Russia, which has intensified since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Russian government has targeted opposition figures, independent journalists, and rights activists, leading to numerous prosecutions, imprisonments, and the fleeing of thousands from the country. Favorskaya and Kriger worked for SotaVision, an independent Russian outlet covering protests and political trials, while Gabov, a freelance producer, had worked with several media organizations, including Reuters. Karelin, a freelance video journalist, had contributed to Western outlets such as The Associated Press.

The journalists were accused of working with Navalny's Foundation for Fighting Corruption, which was labeled extremist and outlawed in 2021. Navalny, a prominent critic of President Vladimir Putin, died in February 2024 while serving a prison sentence. His death occurred after years of campaigning against corruption, which led to multiple legal charges, including leading an extremist group.

Favorskaya claimed she was prosecuted for covering abuse Navalny faced in prison and for organizing his funeral. Gabov, in a statement, argued the charges against him were groundless and said the prosecution failed to present evidence. Karelin defended his work with the Popular Politics YouTube channel, emphasizing that the channel was not illegal. Kriger, who was also listed in Russia's extremist registry, asserted that he was imprisoned for doing his job as an independent journalist.

Russian human rights group Memorial designated the four journalists as political prisoners. Their cases are part of a broader trend in which individuals linked to Navalny's movement, including lawyers and family members, have faced similar charges and sentences. Despite the verdict, supporters gathered outside the court to voice their support for the journalists.