Russia detains journalist in another extremism case

Russia on Tuesday arrested another journalist, Artem Kriger, and accused him of helping organisations of late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, in the latest such detention in recent months.

Moscow has massively cracked down on dissent as troops fight in Ukraine and has imposed censorship comparable to Soviet levels.

Authorities have in recent months arrested several journalists and accused them of working for Navalny's organisations which they deem "extremist".

A Moscow court said it had placed 23-year-old Kriger in jail until August 18, accusing him of being part of Navalny's FBK anti-corruption group that Moscow deems "extremist".

Kriger works for independent media SOTAvision, who earlier reported his detention and said it had "no doubt" the accusation was false.

At least three other journalists -- including SOTAvision photographer Antonina Kravtsova -- have been jailed on similar accusations in recent months.

"I am just 23. I repeat that very soon we will see each other when free and I will hug everyone," he said in court, according to Mediazona.

"I am not the only one here (in prison). Why should I not be able to handle it if others can?," he added.

When investigators wanted to make the hearing closed to the press, he said:

"I am against that. I think that a court hearing should be open, because it is 2024, the 21st century."

He wore a sparkly grey blazer and a white T-shirt.

Kriger is the nephew of an imprisoned critic of Moscow's Ukraine offensive, Mikhail Kriger.

He joined SOTAvision in May 2020 when he was still a student, the media said.

He had covered protests in Russia and court cases of critics of the Ukraine offensive.

SOTAvision said Artem Kriger did not want to leave Russia "despite the obvious risks".