Russia arrests two more journalists – reports
By Ido Vock
Russia has reportedly arrested two journalists who have been working with international news outlets.
Sergei Karelin – a Russian and Israeli citizen – was detained on Friday, the Associated Press reported. He has previously worked with the news agency.
He is accused of “extremism” in connection with alleged work for the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s foundation – charges he denies.
A day earlier, Konstantin Gabov was detained on similar charges.
Mr Gabov has worked with outlets including Reuters.
Both men face a minimum of two years in prison if convicted of alleged “participation in an extremist organisation”. They are the latest journalists to face charges amid heightened repression in Russia, which has seen freedom of the press severely limited.
“The Associated Press is very concerned by the detention of Russian video journalist Sergey Karelin,” the US press agency said in a statement. “We are seeking additional information.”
Mr Karelin and Mr Gabov are accused of helping prepare videos for the YouTube channel of Mr Navalny, who was for years Russia’s most high-profile critic of President Vladimir Putin. Mr Navalny died in February in an Arctic penal colony where he had been imprisoned.
