Konstantin Gabov is a political prisoner

Moscow freelance journalist for independent media charged with participating in an extremist group for writing about Navalny. The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Konstantin Gabov a political prisoner.

Konstantin has been convicted on a charge of ‘incitement to hatred on the grounds of ethnicity’ for a speech he made at an environmental protest. Konstantin Gabov‘s prosecution and conviction violate his rights to freedom of expression and fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Konstantin Gabov and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.

Konstantin Gabov is a freelance journalist who has worked with Reuters, Deutsche Welle, and Radio Liberty. On 27 April, it became known that Konstantin Gabov had been detained in Moscow. He was remanded in custody.

Konstantin, among three other journalists, has been charged with participating in an extremist group. If convicted, the journalists face up to 6 years’ imprisonment. The information about the charges against them is incomplete. Some of them have been charged with preparing photographic and video materials for publication on Aleksei Navalny’s media channels.

Why do we consider Konstantin Gabov a political prisoner?

Our project monitors the criminal cases against Aleksei Navalny, his associates, and his supporters. We are convinced that these prosecutions are related exclusively to the legitimate political activities of the defendants. Analysis shows that the designation of the political organisations legally created by Navalny and his team as an ‘extremist group’ is in no way justified. There is no evidence of their extremist activities.

The Russian authorities have adopted a vicious practice in the application of Article 282.1 of the Russian Criminal Code by which unquestionably legal actions are classified as criminal solely because those accused are declared to be ‘participants in an extremist group.’

The prosecution of journalists who, along with Navalny’s associates and his lawyers, have been charged under the article on the organisation of an extremist group is a vivid example of this practice. Preparation of reports, photographs and videos is the essence of journalistic work. Journalists play a key role in the exercise of the constitutional right to disseminate, seek and receive information. Prosecution of journalists for their work is an attack on democracy and fundamental civic rights.

A detailed description of the prosecution of Navalny’s supporters for participating in an ‘extremist group’ and our position is available on our website.

Recognition of an individual as a political prisoner does not imply the ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project agrees with, or approves, their views, statements, or actions.

How can you help?

You can write to the defendants at the following addresses:

In Russian:

Габову Константину Васильевичу, 1986 г. р. 125130, Москва, ул. Выборгская, д. 20, ФКУ СИЗО-5 УФСИН России по г. Москве

In English:

Konstantin Vasilievich Gabov (born 1986), Remand Prison No. 5, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for the city of Moscow, 20 Vyborgskaya Street, Moscow, 125130, Russia.

You can send an email via F-Pismo and Zonatelecom (Russian bank cards), PrisonMail (other bank cards), or OVD-Info (free of charge).

Please note that letters in languages other than Russian are highly unlikely to reach the recipient.

You can donate to support all political prisoners in Russia.