UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has criticized Russian authorities' crackdown on journalists since the beginning of Moscow's conflict with Ukraine more than two years ago.
Russian reporters are increasingly being charged, sentenced and imprisoned, Türk's office said in Geneva on Tuesday.
"The continuous attacks on free speech and the criminalization of independent journalism in Russia are very troubling," he stated.
At least 30 reporters are currently in custody in Russia on a variety of charges, including terrorism, espionage and treason. Of those, 12 face prison sentences of between five and 22 years in prison.
In addition, seven journalists have faced charges since March linked to criticism of Russia's war in Ukraine or links to deceased Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.
Journalists "should be able to work in a safe environment without fear of reprisals," Tusk said.
"I call on the authorities to immediately drop charges against journalists detained solely for doing their jobs, and to release them," he added.