Russian ex-journalist Ivan Safronov jailed 22 years on treason charges
A Russian courtroom on Monday sentenced a former journalist to 22 years in jail for treason after prosecutors mentioned he disclosed state secrets and techniques, a ruling his supporters mentioned was a harsh punishment that confirmed the absence of media freedom in Russia.
Ivan Safronov, 32, who was a defence and house reporter for the Kommersant and Vedomosti newspapers earlier than turning into adviser to the pinnacle of Russia’s house company, was arrested in 2020 and accused of revealing categorized info. He has been in custody since his arrest in Moscow.
Safronov’s father additionally labored for Kommersant, protecting army points after retiring from the armed forces. In 2007, he died after falling from a window of his condominium constructing in Moscow.
Investigators concluded that he killed himself, however some Russian media retailers questioned the official model, pointing to his intent to publish a delicate report about secret arms deliveries to Iran and Syria.
Safronov’s legal professionals informed the RIA Novosti information company they will attraction the decision. His supporters say the case is retribution for his reporting, which uncovered particulars of Russia’s worldwide arms offers.
‘Cost of treason is absurd’
“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 in regards to the case.
Hours earlier than the ruling was introduced by the Moscow Metropolis Courtroom, 15 impartial Russian media retailers issued a joint assertion demanding Safronov’s launch.
“It’s apparent to us that the rationale for persecuting Ivan Safronov is just not ‘treason,’ which hasn’t been substantiated … however his work as a journalist and tales he printed with none regard for what the Defence Ministry or Russian authorities suppose,” the assertion learn.
Included within the assertion was media outlet Novaya Gazeta. Individually on Monday, a Moscow courtroom revoked the publishing licence for the media outlet, a flagship impartial newspaper that ceased publishing days after Russia despatched tens of hundreds of troops into Ukraine and imposed strict new controls over media retailers.
The European Union on Monday additionally urged Russian authorities to drop all prices towards Safronov and “launch him with none circumstances,” denouncing “systematic repressions of the regime towards impartial journalism.”
Talking outdoors the courtoom, Safronov’s lawyer, Dmitry Katchev, mentioned he was nearly misplaced for phrases on the ruling.
“Safronov was given 22 years for his journalistic exercise. I would like every of you, who’re taking a look at me now, to suppose whether or not it’s price staying on this occupation if any person was given 22 years for doing his job,” he informed reporters.
‘Merciless punishment’
Human rights lawyer Pavel Chikov mentioned the sentence was a “savage, demonstratively merciless punishment, comparable to the present state of Russia.”
He mentioned he couldn’t discover any examples of any treason instances resulting in such a prolonged sentence, not to mention towards a journalist.
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 and final month rejected a plea deal that might have seen him serve a 12-year jail sentence.
Data was not secret, defence says
Safronov mentioned the data he’s alleged to have handed to the Czech Republic was all open supply public info.
Through the trial, his authorized crew 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 wherever — for cash or totally free…. He was an strange journalist, actually doing his job,” his legal professionals mentioned in an announcement.
Following his arrest, the Kremlin known as Safronov a “proficient journalist,” whereas it has repeatedly denied involvement with the case.
His defence crew believes the trial is retribution for Safronov revealing Russia’s plans to promote fighter jets to Egypt. The estimated $2-billion US deal was scrapped quickly after when the U.S. threatened sanctions on Cairo if it went forward.
