A journalist for the Russian edition of Forbes magazine, Sergei Mingazov, was detained on charges of spreading false information about the Russian military, his lawyer said Friday. This comes amid a broader crackdown on dissent and independent media in Russia, with two other journalists, Konstantin Gabov and Sergey Karelin, also facing charges related to their work for a group founded by the late opposition politician Alexei Navalny.
Gabov and Karelin have been accused of preparing materials for a YouTube channel run by Navalny’s Foundation for Fighting Corruption, which has been outlawed by Russian authorities. Both journalists deny the charges and face the possibility of two to six years in prison if convicted.
The Russian government has passed laws criminalizing the spread of false information about the military, effectively silencing any criticism of the war in Ukraine or deviation from the official narrative. This crackdown has extended to journalists, activists, and opposition figures critical of the Kremlin.
In a statement, The Associated Press expressed concern over the detention of Russian video journalist Sergey Karelin, who has worked for various media outlets, including Reuters and Deutsche Welle. The AP is seeking additional information on his case.
The detention of journalists like Mingazov, Gabov, Karelin, and others highlights the challenges faced by media professionals in Russia, where reporting on sensitive topics can lead to imprisonment and persecution. The international community has condemned these actions, with the U.S. government declaring American reporter Evan Gershkovich wrongfully detained on espionage charges.
As the crackdown on dissent continues in Russia, journalists and activists risk their freedom to report on issues of public interest and hold those in power accountable. The case of Mingazov and his colleagues underscores the importance of press freedom and the need to protect journalists from government repression.