Russia - Sentencing of Russian journalists (16 April 2025)

France condemns the five-and-a-half year prison sentences handed down yesterday against the Russian journalists Antonina Kravtsova (also known as Antonina Favorskaya), Artyom Kriger, Konstantin Gabov and Sergei Karelin for their “participation in an extremist organization,” following a trial behind closed doors.

Three months after the sentencing of three lawyers for exercising the right to a defense on behalf of their client Alexei Navalny, the “journalist trial” is the latest demonstration of the Russian authorities’ efforts to crack down on any dissenting opinions and intimidate the men and women attempting to document the Russian authorities’ human rights violations.

France calls for the immediate, unconditional release of any individuals being prosecuted for political reasons and for Russia to respect its international commitments concerning the right to information and the right of access to information.