Former Russian journalist Ivan Safronov was arrested in 2020 and accused of disclosing labeled data.
Kirill Kudryavtsev | Afp | Getty Photos
A Russian courtroom on Monday sentenced ex-journalist Ivan Safronov to 22 a long time in a penal colony after discovering him guilty of treason, in a landmark scenario for the Kremlin’s crackdown on press freedom.
Safronov, a previous defence reporter for the Kommersant and Vedomosti newspapers turned adviser to the head of Russia’s room company, was arrested in 2020 and accused of disclosing labeled information.
Safronov’s attorneys explained to the RIA Novosti news agency they will appeal the verdict.
His supporters say the case is retribution for his reporting which exposed details of Russia’s intercontinental arms deals.
“Everyone who is close to Safronov believes the cost of treason is absurd,” journalist Katerina Gordeeva claimed just after interviewing his mother, sister and former colleagues for a documentary about the circumstance.
Forward of the sentencing, the European Union known as on Russia to fall all costs from Safronov, 32, and launch him unconditionally.