• Four Russian journalists sentenced to 5.5 years for alleged ties to Navalny's anti-corruption group.
• The trial is part of a broader crackdown on dissent and independent journalism in Russia.
• All convicted journalists maintain their innocence, insisting they are being punished for their work.
• The verdict reflects escalating risks for journalists in Russia following the Ukraine invasion.
• Supporters and human rights groups have condemned the sentences as politically motivated.

A Russian court has sentenced four journalists to 5.5 years in prison each, after convicting them of extremism for their involvement with the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny's anti-corruption group. Antonina Favorskaya, Sergey Karelin, Konstantin Gabov, and Artyom Kriger were found guilty of working with an organization that has been labeled as extremist by Russian authorities, arguing their innocence throughout the proceedings, according to Le Monde.

The trial, which took place behind closed doors, reflects a more aggressive stance by the Kremlin against dissent, particularly following its military actions in Ukraine. As political oppression intensifies, independent journalists and critics of President Vladimir Putin face serious legal repercussions, jailing hundreds and causing many to flee the country. "They will all appeal their sentences," said Ivan Novikov, a lawyer representing one of the accused, emphasizing that no evidence was presented to substantiate the charges, as reported by Los Angeles Times.

Both Favorskaya and Kriger have worked with SotaVision, an independent media outlet that covers protests and political issues, while Gabov has freelanced for various organizations, including Reuters. Karelin has contributed to the Associated Press. Their convictions relate to their work with Navalny's Foundation for Fighting Corruption, which was declared extremist in 2021 in what many see as a politically motivated crackdown, according to The Hill.

Favorskaya claimed that she faced prosecution for her journalistic work covering Navalny’s treatment in detention, while Kriger expressed that he was punished simply for performing his duties as a journalist. He stated, "Independent journalism is equated to extremism," emphasizing the hostile environment for reporters, according to Reuters.

Supporters of the journalists have condemned the sentences, with Germany's foreign ministry commenting on the dire situation for press freedom in Russia, emphasizing that "in Putin's Russia, the freedom of the press enshrined in the Constitution is worth nothing." Media organizations continue to decry the political motivations behind the sentencing, indicating a growing climate of fear among independent journalists, as noted by Al Jazeera.