"Defense lawyer denies charges Irina Biryukova, the lawyer representing Konstantin Gabov, told DW that the conviction was unfounded and that the journalists had committed no crimes. "The case files presented in both the trial and appeals courts contain no evidence of any extremist activity," Biryukova said. "They were simply doing their jobs as reporters." Biryukova confirmed plans to appeal the decision in higher Russian courts and, if necessary, bring the case before the UN Human Rights Committee."
"Russian authorities classified the FBK as an extremist organization in 2021, a designation that has since been used to prosecute journalists, activists and opposition figures associated with Navalny's movement. Prosecutors said the group created materials for the FBK YouTube channel. All four journalists denied the charges, saying they did not work for the foundation but merely reported on its activities."
"Konstantin Gabov and Sergey Karelin, along with Antonina Favorskaya and Artyom Kriger, were convicted in April on charges of participating in an "extremist organization" a reference to the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), an NGO founded by opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Navalny, a prominent critic of President Vladimir Putin, died in February 2024 while imprisoned in an Arctic penal colony."
Four journalists—Konstantin Gabov, Sergey Karelin, Antonina Favorskaya and Artyom Kriger—were sentenced to five-and-a-half years after convictions in April on charges of participating in an organization labeled extremist. Prosecutors said the group produced materials for the FBK YouTube channel. The journalists denied working for the foundation and said they only reported on its activities. Russian authorities designated the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) extremist in 2021. Following the judgment, the journalists are expected to be moved from pre-trial detention centers to penal colonies. The convictions have drawn international criticism and raised press freedom concerns; defense counsel plans appeals and potential UN action.
Read at www.dw.com
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