A Russian court has sentenced journalist Olga Komleva to 12 years in prison on “extremism” charges over her links to an opposition group, as the Kremlin intensifies its crackdown on dissent. Komleva, 46, was found guilty of “extremist” ties for her past volunteer work with the late opposition leader Alexey Navalny’s banned political party and for allegedly spreading false information about the Russian army in her reporting on the war in Ukraine.
The verdict underscores Moscow’s expanding repression, which now targets not only active critics but also those who were once affiliated with opposition groups. Independent outlet Mediazona reported that Komleva had volunteered for Navalny’s party before it was outlawed in 2021. She later worked for the independent media outlet RusNews, covering antigovernment protests and Russia’s military assault on Ukraine.
The Kremlin has escalated its decade-long clampdown on independent media amid its campaign in Ukraine by imposing sweeping censorship laws, effectively banning any criticism of the military. A district court in the central Russian city of Ufa “found that the defendant participated in the activities of an extremist community” and “spread deliberately false information about the actions of the armed forces,” it said in a statement. “The court found the defendant guilty and sentenced her to 12 years in prison,” it added.
Komleva did not admit guilt on either charge. After hearing the verdict, she smiled and waved from inside a glass defendants’ box, saying “I love you all” to a group of people who came to support her, according to a video published by RusNews. Komleva has diabetes and struggled to receive medication while in pre-trial detention, Mediazona said.
The sentencing of Komleva is part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Russia. Navalny, President Vladimir Putin’s main opponent, who died in an Arctic penal colony under unclear circumstances last year, was declared an “extremist” by Russian authorities in 2021. Russia banned Navalny’s organisations in the same fashion shortly before launching its 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine and has ruthlessly targeted those it deems to have links to him.
The Kremlin’s repression has been expanding, with independent media outlets and journalists facing increasing pressure. The case of Komleva highlights the risks faced by journalists and activists in Russia, where criticism of the government is not tolerated. The international community has expressed concern over the situation, with many calling for greater freedom of the press and human rights in Russia.
The sentencing of Komleva has sent a chill through the journalistic community in Russia. Many journalists and activists have been forced to flee the country or go into hiding to avoid persecution. The Kremlin’s crackdown on dissent has made it increasingly difficult for independent media outlets to operate in Russia.
The case of Komleva is a stark reminder of the risks faced by journalists and activists in Russia. The international community must continue to speak out against human rights abuses and support those who are fighting for freedom of the press and human rights in Russia.