Russian journalists, Konstantin Gabov and Sergey Karelin were arrested on charges of “extremism” and have been ordered by the courts, on Saturday (Apr 27) to remain in custody pending an investigation for allegedly working for a group founded by the late Russian opposition politician <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-intel-suggests-putin-unlikely-to-have-ordered-navalnys-killing-wsj-report-715854">Alexei Navalny</a>.

<h2>Charges against the Russian journalists</h2>

The two Russian journalists, who have denied the charges against them, would be detained for a minimum of two months before any trials begin, reported the Associated Press.&nbsp;

Gabov was detained in the Russian capital city of Moscow. Meanwhile, Karelin, who is also an Israeli citizen was arrested from Russia’s northern Murmansk region, on Friday (Apr 26) night.&nbsp;

Gabov has been accused of participating “in preparing photo and video material” for the YouTube channel “Navalny LIVE,” reported Deutsche Welle (DW) citing court officials.&nbsp;

Karelin has also been accused of preparing materials for the YouTube channel which was created by Navalny’s associates and employees of the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) NGO.&nbsp;

The organisation founded by the late Russian opposition leader has been designated as an extremist group in Russia.

Gabov and Karelin face a minimum of two years in prison and a maximum of six years for alleged “participation in an extremist organization,” according to the Russian courts.&nbsp;

Gabov will be held in pre-trial detention until June 27, while the details about Karelin’s detention are yet to be made public.&nbsp;

<h2>Russia’s crackdown on journalists</h2>

Both Gabov and Karelin have previously worked for DW and other international news organisations.&nbsp;

Karelin, 41, was working for DW as a cameraman until the German broadcaster was banned from operating in Russia. He has also worked for the AP.&nbsp;

“The Associated Press is very concerned by the detention of Russian video journalist Sergey Karelin,” said the news agency in a statement, adding that it is “seeking additional information.”

Meanwhile, Gabov is a freelance producer and has also worked for several organisations including Reuters, said the Russian court press service.&nbsp;

However, Reuters later released a statement saying that&nbsp;Gabov had previously "occasionally contributed to the Reuters news file," but "does not do any work for Reuters at this time."

He was DW’s correspondent in Moscow in 2019 and 2020. Gabov reportedly also worked for the Russian broadcasters Moskva 24 and MIR, and Belarusian news agency Belsat.&nbsp;

In recent years, Russia has ramped up its crackdown on dissent aimed at independent media, journalists, activists, and opposition figures.&nbsp;

Several journalists have been arrested for their coverage of Navalny, who died in an Arctic penal colony in February, including photographer <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-stepping-up-persecution-of-last-independent-journalists-and-media-alleges-reporters-without-borders-706723">Antonina Favorskaya</a>.&nbsp;

Favorskaya was arrested last month and has been accused of participating in an “extremist organization” after she posted on the social media platforms of Navalny’s Foundation and covered his court hearings for years.&nbsp;

She also filmed the last video of the Russian opposition leader before his death.&nbsp;

Speaking to DW on Sunday (Apr 28), the director of the Andrei Sakharov Center for Human Rights, Sergey Lukashevsky, said that Gabov and Karelin would be found guilty.&nbsp;

He explained that extremism charges could be levelled against individuals for “any connections, any contact with somebody of the Navalny team,” and called it a “repressive strategy.”

Russia-American journalist <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-russia-detains-another-american-journalist-heres-what-we-know-649362">Alsu Kurmasheva</a>, who works for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Wall Street Journal reporter <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wall-street-journal-reporter-evan-gershkovich-marks-a-year-in-russian-prison-705781">Evan Gershkovich</a> are also being held by Russian authorities.&nbsp;

<h2>Forbes Russia journalist placed under house arrest&nbsp;</h2>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/forbes-russia-journalist-arrested-for-allegedly-spreading-fake-news-about-russian-army-715312">Sergei Mingazov</a>, a journalist for Forbes Russia who was arrested for allegedly spreading “fake news” about Moscow’s army has been placed under house arrest by the court, reported Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, on Saturday (Apr 27).&nbsp;

He will be under house arrest for at least two months as he awaits trial after being detained on Friday. According to Mingazov’s lawyer, he was detained for reposting articles about alleged Russian war crimes in Bucha, a suburb near the Ukrainian capital.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russian journalists, Konstantin Gabov and Sergey Karelin were arrested on charges of “extremism” and have been ordered by the courts, on Saturday (Apr 27) to remain in custody pending an investigation for allegedly working for a group founded by the late Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny.

Russian journalists, Konstantin Gabov and Sergey Karelin were arrested on charges of “extremism” and have been ordered by the courts, on Saturday (Apr 27) to remain in custody pending an investigation for allegedly working for a group founded by the late Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny. Charges against the Russian journalists The two Russian journalists, who have denied the charges against them, would be detained for a minimum of two months before any trials begin, reported the Associated Press. Gabov was detained in the Russian capital city of Moscow. Meanwhile, Karelin, who is also an Israeli citizen was arrested from Russia’s northern Murmansk region, on Friday (Apr 26) night. Gabov has been accused of participating “in preparing photo and video material” for the YouTube channel “Navalny LIVE,” reported Deutsche Welle (DW) citing court officials. Karelin has also been accused of preparing materials for the YouTube channel which was created by Navalny’s associates and employees of the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) NGO. The organisation founded by the late Russian opposition leader has been designated as an extremist group in Russia. Gabov and Karelin face a minimum of two years in prison and a maximum of six years for alleged “participation in an extremist organization,” according to the Russian courts. Gabov will be held in pre-trial detention until June 27, while the details about Karelin’s detention are yet to be made public. Russia’s crackdown on journalists Both Gabov and Karelin have previously worked for DW and other international news organisations. Karelin, 41, was working for DW as a cameraman until the German broadcaster was banned from operating in Russia. He has also worked for the AP. “The Associated Press is very concerned by the detention of Russian video journalist Sergey Karelin,” said the news agency in a statement, adding that it is “seeking additional information.” Meanwhile, Gabov is a freelance producer and has also worked for several organisations including Reuters, said the Russian court press service. However, Reuters later released a statement saying that Gabov had previously "occasionally contributed to the Reuters news file," but "does not do any work for Reuters at this time." He was DW’s correspondent in Moscow in 2019 and 2020. Gabov reportedly also worked for the Russian broadcasters Moskva 24 and MIR, and Belarusian news agency Belsat. In recent years, Russia has ramped up its crackdown on dissent aimed at independent media, journalists, activists, and opposition figures. Several journalists have been arrested for their coverage of Navalny, who died in an Arctic penal colony in February, including photographer Antonina Favorskaya. Favorskaya was arrested last month and has been accused of participating in an “extremist organization” after she posted on the social media platforms of Navalny’s Foundation and covered his court hearings for years. She also filmed the last video of the Russian opposition leader before his death. Speaking to DW on Sunday (Apr 28), the director of the Andrei Sakharov Center for Human Rights, Sergey Lukashevsky, said that Gabov and Karelin would be found guilty. He explained that extremism charges could be levelled against individuals for “any connections, any contact with somebody of the Navalny team,” and called it a “repressive strategy.” Russia-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, who works for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich are also being held by Russian authorities. Forbes Russia journalist placed under house arrest Sergei Mingazov, a journalist for Forbes Russia who was arrested for allegedly spreading “fake news” about Moscow’s army has been placed under house arrest by the court, reported Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, on Saturday (Apr 27). He will be under house arrest for at least two months as he awaits trial after being detained on Friday. According to Mingazov’s lawyer, he was detained for reposting articles about alleged Russian war crimes in Bucha, a suburb near the Ukrainian capital. (With inputs from agencies)

Two Russian journalists detained over ‘extremism’ after allegedly working for Navalny group

Rights activists warned Tuesday of greater curbs on media and online freedom in Russia ahead of a vote on a controversial bill that could lead bloggers and independent journalists to be labelled "foreign agents."

Lawmakers want to broaden existing legislation that forces foreign-funded media and NGOs to describe themselves as "foreign agents" to include individuals.

Foreign agents are required to register with the justice ministry, label the material they publish and submit much more detailed paperwork or face fines.

Critics said this would affect bloggers and even ordinary people posting on social media, although some ruling party lawmakers denied this.

Amnesty International in a joint statement with other rights groups, including Journalists Without Borders, decried it as "a further step to restrict free and independent media" and "a strong tool to silence opposition voices."

The lower house of parliament, the State Duma, was scheduled to discuss the amendments in the crucial second reading on Tuesday afternoon.

Authors say the bill is intended to "perfect" existing legislation on "foreign agents" that already covers NGOs and media organisations.

The law will "primarily affect bloggers," the RBK independent news site said. But President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed such concerns as "horror stories."

"You don't need to be a journalist, it's enough just to write something on social media," wrote political observer Anton Orekh.

One of the authors, Senator Andrei Klimov, told RBK that the law will affect anyone who posts "unlawful" media material and receives money from abroad, including from advertising.&nbsp;

Rights activist Alexander Verkhovsky, who sits on Putin's human rights council, warned that the law could affect anyone who posted online and received any money from abroad, even for unrelated reasons.

Lawmakers insist the label would only be imposed on journalists who cover politics.

Senator Klimov told the Kommersant daily: "If someone writes about a hockey match or chasing butterflies, no one will recognise them as a foreign agent."

Russia wants the law in order to have a tit-for-tat mechanism if its journalists are defined as foreign agents in the West, said Leonid Levin, the head of the Duma's information policy department.

Russia first passed legislation allowing media organisations to be slapped with the label in 2017 after Kremlin-funded RT television was declared a foreign agent in the United States.

Media affected by the law include US-financed Radio Liberty/ Radio Free Europe and Voice of America.

The legislation was originally passed in 2012 to cover NGOs and has been widely used against rights groups.

Rights activists warned Tuesday of greater curbs on media and online freedom in Russia ahead of a vote on a controversial bill that could lead bloggers and independent journalists to be labelled "foreign agents.

Rights activists warned Tuesday of greater curbs on media and online freedom in Russia ahead of a vote on a controversial bill that could lead bloggers and independent journalists to be labelled "foreign agents." Lawmakers want to broaden existing legislation that forces foreign-funded media and NGOs to describe themselves as "foreign agents" to include individuals. Foreign agents are required to register with the justice ministry, label the material they publish and submit much more detailed paperwork or face fines. Critics said this would affect bloggers and even ordinary people posting on social media, although some ruling party lawmakers denied this. Amnesty International in a joint statement with other rights groups, including Journalists Without Borders, decried it as "a further step to restrict free and independent media" and "a strong tool to silence opposition voices." The lower house of parliament, the State Duma, was scheduled to discuss the amendments in the crucial second reading on Tuesday afternoon. Authors say the bill is intended to "perfect" existing legislation on "foreign agents" that already covers NGOs and media organisations. The law will "primarily affect bloggers," the RBK independent news site said. But President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed such concerns as "horror stories." "You don't need to be a journalist, it's enough just to write something on social media," wrote political observer Anton Orekh. One of the authors, Senator Andrei Klimov, told RBK that the law will affect anyone who posts "unlawful" media material and receives money from abroad, including from advertising. Rights activist Alexander Verkhovsky, who sits on Putin's human rights council, warned that the law could affect anyone who posted online and received any money from abroad, even for unrelated reasons. Lawmakers insist the label would only be imposed on journalists who cover politics. Senator Klimov told the Kommersant daily: "If someone writes about a hockey match or chasing butterflies, no one will recognise them as a foreign agent." Russia wants the law in order to have a tit-for-tat mechanism if its journalists are defined as foreign agents in the West, said Leonid Levin, the head of the Duma's information policy department. Russia first passed legislation allowing media organisations to be slapped with the label in 2017 after Kremlin-funded RT television was declared a foreign agent in the United States. Media affected by the law include US-financed Radio Liberty/ Radio Free Europe and Voice of America. The legislation was originally passed in 2012 to cover NGOs and has been widely used against rights groups.

Fears as Russian MPs consider foreign agent tag for bloggers, journalists

Ukraine, seeking to reassure its Western allies after faking the murder of a Russian dissident to thwart what it said was a plot on his life, told them on Friday its ruse led to the discovery of a hit-list of 47 people whom Russia planned to kill abroad.

The Kiev authorities drew both praise and consternation this week for staging the fake shooting of Arkady Babchenko, an exiled journalist, which they said was necessary to protect him and dozens of others who were targeted in a genuine Russian plot.

Russia has poured scorn on Ukraine's allegations while some organizations and commentators criticized Kiev for the kind of trickery which Ukraine routinely accuses Russia of using.

Ukraine's credibility matters as it counts on Western financial support and sanctions on Moscow in its standoff with Russia over the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and a Russian-backed separatist conflict in which more than 10,000 people have been killed.

General Prosecutor Yuriy Lutsenko, one of the few Ukrainian officials who knew about the ruse in advance, briefed the ambassadors of the United States, the European Union and other countries.

In a statement after the meeting, Lutsenko said faking the murder was necessary because it allowed Ukrainian investigators to obtain more information about the list of people targeted and about who had ordered the murder.

As a result, “the investigation received a list of 47 (!) people who could be the next victims of terrorists,” he wrote on Facebook.

He did not provide any names but said the list included prominent Ukrainian and Russian journalists.

The 47 number is higher than the 30 people, including Babchenko, whom Ukraine originally believed were targets.

The investigation also gleaned important evidence linking the plot to Russian intelligence services, which would be divulged later, Lutsenko said.

State protection

Ukrainian officials reported on Tuesday that Babchenko, a Kremlin critic, had been gunned down in his apartment building in Kiev. Lurid pictures of him lying in a pool of blood were published, and officials suggested Russia was behind the killing, something Moscow flatly denied.

A day later, Babchenko appeared in public alive, and Ukrainian state security officials admitted they had faked his death to foil and expose what they described as a Russian plot to assassinate him.

That drew criticism from media and commentators abroad who questioned whether the ruse and the false outpouring of grief and finger-pointing at Russia it provoked had undermined credibility in Kiev and handing the Kremlin a propaganda gift.

One senior EU country diplomat who attended Friday’s meeting said Lutsenko had given a convincing explanation to justify the means Ukraine had employed.

“I’m happy, others are happier than before. I’d say it was the right thing to,” the diplomat told Reuters, adding that Lutsenko did “acknowledge that the media reaction came as a surprise and that side should have been handled better.”

Separately two television presenters based in Ukraine, one Russian and one Ukrainian, disclosed publicly that the Ukrainian authorities had shown them evidence of being on Russia’s hit list and were now living under state protection.

A senior European Union official involved in Ukraine said the staged murder could undermine trust in Kiev if the government did not come forward quickly with evidence of what they claimed and the plot’s links to Russia.

A marker will be the July 9 EU-Ukraine summit in Brussels, where President Petro Poroshenko will need to show proof, if not before, the official said.

“What if they fail to provide evidence? It all depends on how well they follow up,” the official said. 
&nbsp

The Kiev authorities drew both praise and consternation this week for staging the fake shooting of Arkady Babchenko, an exiled journalist, which they said was necessary to protect him

Ukraine, seeking to reassure its Western allies after faking the murder of a Russian dissident to thwart what it said was a plot on his life, told them on Friday its ruse led to the discovery of a hit-list of 47 people whom Russia planned to kill abroad. The Kiev authorities drew both praise and consternation this week for staging the fake shooting of Arkady Babchenko, an exiled journalist, which they said was necessary to protect him and dozens of others who were targeted in a genuine Russian plot. Russia has poured scorn on Ukraine's allegations while some organizations and commentators criticized Kiev for the kind of trickery which Ukraine routinely accuses Russia of using. Ukraine's credibility matters as it counts on Western financial support and sanctions on Moscow in its standoff with Russia over the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and a Russian-backed separatist conflict in which more than 10,000 people have been killed. General Prosecutor Yuriy Lutsenko, one of the few Ukrainian officials who knew about the ruse in advance, briefed the ambassadors of the United States, the European Union and other countries. In a statement after the meeting, Lutsenko said faking the murder was necessary because it allowed Ukrainian investigators to obtain more information about the list of people targeted and about who had ordered the murder. As a result, “the investigation received a list of 47 (!) people who could be the next victims of terrorists,” he wrote on Facebook. He did not provide any names but said the list included prominent Ukrainian and Russian journalists. The 47 number is higher than the 30 people, including Babchenko, whom Ukraine originally believed were targets. The investigation also gleaned important evidence linking the plot to Russian intelligence services, which would be divulged later, Lutsenko said. State protection Ukrainian officials reported on Tuesday that Babchenko, a Kremlin critic, had been gunned down in his apartment building in Kiev. Lurid pictures of him lying in a pool of blood were published, and officials suggested Russia was behind the killing, something Moscow flatly denied. A day later, Babchenko appeared in public alive, and Ukrainian state security officials admitted they had faked his death to foil and expose what they described as a Russian plot to assassinate him. That drew criticism from media and commentators abroad who questioned whether the ruse and the false outpouring of grief and finger-pointing at Russia it provoked had undermined credibility in Kiev and handing the Kremlin a propaganda gift. One senior EU country diplomat who attended Friday’s meeting said Lutsenko had given a convincing explanation to justify the means Ukraine had employed. “I’m happy, others are happier than before. I’d say it was the right thing to,” the diplomat told Reuters, adding that Lutsenko did “acknowledge that the media reaction came as a surprise and that side should have been handled better.” Separately two television presenters based in Ukraine, one Russian and one Ukrainian, disclosed publicly that the Ukrainian authorities had shown them evidence of being on Russia’s hit list and were now living under state protection. A senior European Union official involved in Ukraine said the staged murder could undermine trust in Kiev if the government did not come forward quickly with evidence of what they claimed and the plot’s links to Russia. A marker will be the July 9 EU-Ukraine summit in Brussels, where President Petro Poroshenko will need to show proof, if not before, the official said. “What if they fail to provide evidence? It all depends on how well they follow up,” the official said.

'We have Russian hit-list of 47 people', Ukraine tells allies

Editors of Russia&#39;s opposition newspaper, Novaya Gazeta, said on Thursday they were planning to give their employees weapons training and arm them with &quot;traumatic&quot; or less lethal weapons to protect themselves against possible attacks.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The decision comes amid a spike in violence against dissenters in Russia, including this week&#39;s attack on a radio journalist who was stabbed in the neck at the offices of the liberal Echo of Moscow radio.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&quot;If the state is not ready to protect us, we will protect ourselves,&quot; Sergei Sokolov, a deputy editor at Russia&#39;s top Opposition newspaper, told AFP.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&quot;When journalists find themselves helpless in the face of lawlessness in the streets and indiscipline of law enforcement agencies there is no other way.&quot;&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Novaya Gazeta editor Dmitry Muratov said on Wednesday that a number of employees would undergo arms training and the newspaper would purchase traumatic weapons.&nbsp;

The use of fire arms is tightly regulated in Russia. The so-called traumatic weapons that use rubber bullets can be used for self-defence, but can also inflict lethal damage.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&quot;I will arm the newsroom,&quot; Muratov said on Echo of Moscow Radio.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&quot;We will also supply journalists with other security means that I don&#39;t want to talk about.&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;We will conclude an official agreement with the Russian interior ministry,&quot; he added. &quot;I have no other choice.&quot;&nbsp;

Contacted by AFP, Muratov said he could not provide details of the plan over security concerns.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&quot;Our security experts have asked me to refrain from comments before we take concrete steps,&quot; he said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Pavel Kanygin, a Novaya Gazeta special correspondent, said he was ready to use non-lethal weapons to defend himself.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&quot;I don&#39;t see anything bad in our situation,&quot; he told AFP in written comments, adding that potential criminals may be deterred by the knowledge that Novaya Gazeta reporters carry weapons.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&quot;This too is defence.&quot;&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
President Vladimir Putin&#39;s spokesman said today he saw no reason to provide extra security for journalists.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&quot;Unfortunately, every one of us can become a target of a madman,&quot; Dmitry Peskov told reporters, adding that Novaya Gazeta was free to adopt any measures as long as they were in line with existing laws.&nbsp;

Over the past two decades Novaya Gazeta has lost several journalists to contract-style killings, including investigative reporter Anna Politkovskaya who was gunned down in the entrance to her Moscow apartment in 2006.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Earlier this week Tatyana Felgenhauer, a 32-year-old Echo of Moscow presener, was stabbed in the neck by a mentally unstable man.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Many commentators have blamed the authorities for fomenting hatred against dissenters and creating an atmosphere in which such attacks became possible.

'If the state is not ready to protect us, we will protect ourselves,' Sergei Sokolov, a deputy editor at Novaya Gazeta, said

Editors of Russia's opposition newspaper, Novaya Gazeta, said on Thursday they were planning to give their employees weapons training and arm them with "traumatic" or less lethal weapons to protect themselves against possible attacks. The decision comes amid a spike in violence against dissenters in Russia, including this week's attack on a radio journalist who was stabbed in the neck at the offices of the liberal Echo of Moscow radio. "If the state is not ready to protect us, we will protect ourselves," Sergei Sokolov, a deputy editor at Russia's top Opposition newspaper, told AFP. "When journalists find themselves helpless in the face of lawlessness in the streets and indiscipline of law enforcement agencies there is no other way." Novaya Gazeta editor Dmitry Muratov said on Wednesday that a number of employees would undergo arms training and the newspaper would purchase traumatic weapons. The use of fire arms is tightly regulated in Russia. The so-called traumatic weapons that use rubber bullets can be used for self-defence, but can also inflict lethal damage. "I will arm the newsroom," Muratov said on Echo of Moscow Radio. "We will also supply journalists with other security means that I don't want to talk about." "We will conclude an official agreement with the Russian interior ministry," he added. "I have no other choice." Contacted by AFP, Muratov said he could not provide details of the plan over security concerns. "Our security experts have asked me to refrain from comments before we take concrete steps," he said. Pavel Kanygin, a Novaya Gazeta special correspondent, said he was ready to use non-lethal weapons to defend himself. "I don't see anything bad in our situation," he told AFP in written comments, adding that potential criminals may be deterred by the knowledge that Novaya Gazeta reporters carry weapons. "This too is defence." President Vladimir Putin's spokesman said today he saw no reason to provide extra security for journalists. "Unfortunately, every one of us can become a target of a madman," Dmitry Peskov told reporters, adding that Novaya Gazeta was free to adopt any measures as long as they were in line with existing laws. Over the past two decades Novaya Gazeta has lost several journalists to contract-style killings, including investigative reporter Anna Politkovskaya who was gunned down in the entrance to her Moscow apartment in 2006. Earlier this week Tatyana Felgenhauer, a 32-year-old Echo of Moscow presener, was stabbed in the neck by a mentally unstable man. Many commentators have blamed the authorities for fomenting hatred against dissenters and creating an atmosphere in which such attacks became possible.

Will arm journalists, say Russian newspaper editors after Putin refuses protection