A Russian journalist, Konstantin Gabov, has been detained on accusations of “extremism” for his involvement in creating YouTube videos for the team of the late opposition figurehead Alexei Navalny, according to Moscow courts on Saturday.
Gabov, known for his work with Russian television channels Moskva 24 and MIR, as well as the Belarusian news agency Belsat, will remain in pre-trial detention until at least June 27, as per the court’s press service on Telegram.
The court specified that Gabov is charged with “taking part in the preparation of photos and videos to be published on the YouTube channel NavalnyLIVE,” a platform frequently utilized by Navalny’s team.
Alexei Navalny, Russia’s most prominent critic of President Vladimir Putin, died in February under dubious circumstances while in custody. His movement has since been labeled as “extremist,” leaving its members and supporters vulnerable to legal action.
With many of Navalny’s allies either in exile or serving lengthy prison sentences, the crackdown on dissent has extended to journalists covering opposition activities. In March, photographer Antonina Kravtsova was detained on similar “extremism” charges after her coverage of Navalny’s trials for SOTAvision, an outlet known for documenting political crackdowns and designated as a “foreign agent” by Russian authorities.
The list of imprisoned journalists includes Evan Gershkovich of The Wall Street Journal, facing spying allegations that both he and U.S. authorities refute. Additionally, Alsu Kurmasheva, a Russian-American journalist working for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, has been in custody since October for failing to register as a “foreign agent,” as mandated by Russian authorities.