Russia arrests Reuters producer in Moscow for alleged work on Navalny’s YouTube channel

Moscow-based journalist Konstantin Gabov was arrested on allegations of involvement in an “extremist community” in connection with his apparent work producing videos for the Navalny Live YouTube channel, according to a statement from the press service of the Basmanny District Court on April 27.

The court identified Gabov as a producer for the Reuters news agency, which has not yet reported — or commented — on the arrest. Under the charges, Gabov could face imprisonment for a term of two to six years.

“A producer of the news service of the Reuters news agency is accused of committing a crime under Part 2 of Article 282.1 of the Russian Criminal Code (participation in an extremist community),” the court’s press office announced in a statement, cited by the Russian state-owned news agency TASS.

“Gabov participated in the preparations of photo and video materials for publication on the NavalnyLIVE YouTube channel,” the statement said. “The court ruled to place him in custody for the term of two months, i.e. until June 27, 2024.”