Russian journalist held over videos produced for Navalny’s team

Moscow — A Russian journalist has been detained on “extremism” accusations for helping to create YouTube videos for the team of late opposition figurehead Alexey Navalny, Moscow courts said Saturday.

Konstantin Gabov, who according to media reports worked for Russian television channels Moskva 24 and MIR as well as Belarusian news agency Belsat and occasionally for the Reuters news agency, will remain in pre-trial detention until at least June 27, the courts’ press service said on Telegram.

He is accused of “taking part in the preparation of photos and videos to be published on the YouTube channel NavalnyLIVE,” one of the platforms used by Navalny’s team, the courts said.

Navalny, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s most prominent critic, died in murky circumstances in his Arctic prison in February.

His movement is designated as “extremist,” exposing its staff and supporters to prosecution.

Most of Navalny’s allies are in exile or serving lengthy prison sentences.

In March, photographer Antonina Kravtsova was also held on “extremism” accusations after frequently covering Navalny’s trials for SOTAvision, one of few media organizations documenting political crackdowns in Russia and considered a “foreign agent” by the authorities.

Other jailed journalists include Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who faces spying claims that he and U.S. authorities reject.

Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, who works for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, is behind bars since October for not registering as a “foreign agent” as required by the authorities.
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