Safronov’s supporters say the case is payback for reporting that uncovered particulars of Russia’s worldwide arms gross sales.
A Russian court docket has sentenced ex-journalist Ivan Safronov to 22 years in a penal colony after discovering him responsible of treason.
Safronov, 32, a former defence reporter for the Kommersant and Vedomosti newspapers turned adviser to the pinnacle of Russia’s house company, was arrested in 2020 and accused of revealing categorised info.
Safronov’s legal professionals advised the RIA Novosti information company they are going to enchantment Monday’s verdict.
His supporters say the case is retribution for his reporting, which uncovered particulars of Russia’s worldwide arms offers.
“All people who’s near Safronov believes the cost of treason is absurd,” journalist Katerina Gordeeva mentioned after interviewing his mom, sister and former colleagues for a documentary concerning the case.
Forward of the sentencing, the European Union referred to as on Russia to drop all costs towards Safronov and launch him unconditionally.
Prosecutors mentioned Safronov shared state secrets and techniques about Russia’s arms gross sales within the Center East to the Czech Republic’s international intelligence arm.
He has denied the fees all through and final month rejected a plea deal that might have seen him serve a 12-year jail sentence.
Safronov strongly denied the fees and mentioned that the data he’s alleged to have handed to the Czech Republic was all open-source public info.
‘State secrets and techniques’
Throughout the trial his authorized staff printed hyperlinks to 19 printed articles and authorities statements that prosecutors declare represent the “state secrets and techniques” Safronov is alleged to have handed to Czech international intelligence.
“Ivan by no means despatched any secret info anyplace – for cash or without spending a dime. All of the prosecution’s witnesses said in court docket that he was not engaged in legal exercise. He was an bizarre journalist, truthfully doing his job,” his legal professionals mentioned in a press release.
