The Russian Federation is judged by two Reuters freelancers who made rollers for Navalny

The affairs of Antonina Favor, Sergei Karelin, Konstantin Gabova and Artem Kriger emphasize the increasingly tricky situation of journalists in Russia, where, according to the organizations to protect the press, dozens of people are currently behind bars.

Within about 30 minutes of open hearing in court, the judge granted the request of the prosecution to remove the press and viewers for the remaining process, on the basis of a letter of management on counteracting the extremism of the Ministry of Internal Affairs that supporters of Navalny are preparing "provocation". An independent newspaper "Mediazon" is quoted by Krieger, who said the judge before the journalists were ordered to leave the hall: "So they do in some totalitarian modes . . .

Why should we return to . . . past?" Journalists are threatened by up to six years in prison if they are guilty. They were not asked to admit themselves innocent or guilty of the hearing that was open to the press. According to prosecutors, they created materials for the YouTube channel of the Foundation for Corruption (FBK) Navalny, which is banned in Russia as a "foreign agent" and an extremist organization.

Gabov and Karelin are freelancers who worked in various news organizations, including Reuters and Associated Press. The Reuters representative said Gabov had been working at the news agency from time to time from the end of 2022 to the beginning of 2024 as a producer. "We do not consider that he has been charged with somehow freelance work on Reuters. Reuters deeply favored freedom of the press and opposes the arrest and detention of any journalist for reasons related to reports.

To report the news in public interests without fear of persecution or harm where they are, " - said the representative. AP stated during the arrest of Karelin, which also has an Israeli passport that it is very concerned about his detention. The journalist was arrested in April during a trip to the North of the Russian Federation. Favorskaya and Krieger worked on Sotavision, an independent edition, which was also recognized as a foreign agent in the Russian Federation.

Favorskaya recorded the latest Navalny video that participated in the court session on February 15, the day before his sudden death in the colony. It was arrested in March, and Krieger in June. "Don't play with fate. Go from the Russian Federation. Anyone can be prison on any charges," Krieger said in an appeal to journalists before the trial. Russia has increased pressure on domestic and foreign reporters since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.

According to the International Group on Protection of Freedom "Reporters Without Borders", there are currently 34 journalists and six other media workers in Russia. The Kremlin does not comment on individual court cases, stating that the courts should ensure compliance with Russian legislation. He exposed the supporters of Navalny violators of rest, who "want to ignite the revolution and destabilize Russia.