Four Russian Journalists Sentenced to 5.5 Years for Navalny Association

A Moscow court has sentenced four journalists—Antonina Favorskaya, Sergey Karelin, Konstantin Gabov, and Artyom Kriger—to five-and-a-half years in prison each for their association with the anti-corruption group founded by the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, which has been designated as extremist. The trial, conducted behind closed doors, has been criticized as part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Russia, particularly since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. All four journalists maintain their innocence, asserting that they are being punished for their roles as reporters. Navalny, a prominent critic of President Putin, died in February 2024 while imprisoned, facing multiple politically motivated charges. The case has raised significant concerns regarding press freedom and the treatment of dissenters in Russia. This conviction reflects the ongoing repression of independent journalism and opposition voices under the current regime.