In a concerning development, two Russian journalists, Konstantin Gabov and Sergey Karelin, have been apprehended on "extremism" charges for their alleged involvement with a group associated with the late Russian opposition politician, Alexey Navalny. The journalists are accused of producing content for Navalny's prominent YouTube channel, "NavalnyLIVE," which focuses on investigating corruption in the Kremlin.

According to reports, Russian authorities have branded Navalny and his organizations as "extremist." This designation has led to the imprisonment of several members of Navalny's team, while many others have been forced to live in exile.

Gabov, who is said to have been involved in the preparation of photo and video materials for the YouTube channel, was arrested on Saturday. He will remain in detention until June 27, as stated by Moscow's Basmanny District Court press service. It is worth noting that Gabov is reportedly a producer for the Reuters news agency. CNN has reached out to Reuters for comments on the case.

Karelin, on the other hand, was arrested in Russia's northwest Murmansk region, also on Saturday. He faces accusations of "participation in an extremist organization." Previously, Karelin has worked for outlets such as the Associated Press (AP) and German publication Deutsche Welle (DW), until DW was banned in Russia in 2022. A photo released by AP showed Karelin, who holds dual Russian-Israeli citizenship, seated in a glass cage during his court hearing in Murmansk.

These detentions come amid a wider crackdown in Russia on journalists and Kremlin critics. President Vladimir Putin's administration has been increasingly suppressing dissent, particularly since the invasion of Ukraine earlier this year.

In yet another incident, Forbes journalist Sergey Mingazov was placed under house arrest after being detained for allegedly spreading fake news about the Russian army. State media RIA Novosti reported this development on Saturday.

Alexey Navalny, once Putin's most formidable political opponent, tragically passed away in a penal colony earlier this year. He had been serving a lengthy sentence on extremism charges. Navalny's family and supporters have accused Putin of being responsible for his death, a claim that the Kremlin vehemently denies.

The detention of these journalists further highlights the challenging environment for freedom of the press in Russia and raises concerns regarding the protection of journalistic integrity and human rights in the country. The international community will be closely monitoring these cases as they unfold.