The Russian authorities opened 70 cases in 2023 for “state treason” or “secret cooperation with a foreign state or organization,” according to a report from the human rights organization Perviy Otdel, issued Dec. 21. Out of the 70 new cases initiated in 2023, in addition to 28 pending from previous years, courts found defendants guilty in 37 cases, marking an historical high. Some cases progressed swiftly from initiation to final judgment, spanning a mere month. Often, the Federal Security Service (FSB) conducted online sting operations, particularly targeting individuals opposing the war in Ukraine. Those charged under the treason statute, Article 275 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, may face from 12 years to life imprisonment.
From Jurist, Dec. 23. Used with permission.
See our last reports on the crackdown on dissent in Russia.
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Russia designates author Boris Akunin as ‘foreign agent’
Russia’s Ministry of Justice designated popular fiction writer Grigori Chkhartishvili (pen name Boris Akunin) a “foreign agent” for his criticism of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The ministry said Jan. 12 that Chkhartishvili “opposed the special military operation in Ukraine,” citing his Facebook posts. In one post, he wrote, “Russia is ruled by a psychologically deranged dictator and worst of all, it obediently follows his paranoia.” (Jurist)
Duma approves confiscation of property over ‘false information’
Russian lawmakers passed legislation Jan. 24 allowing the seizure of monetary assets and properties from individuals found to be in violation of laws pertaining to the dissemination of false information and the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. (Jurist)
‘Errors’ in paperwork of Putin challenger
Election officials in Russia announced Feb 2 that they had found errors in the paperwork submitted by prominent opposition politician and anti-war proponent Boris Nadezhdin, after he provided the signatures of over 100,000 supporters, in an effort to secure his candidacy for the March elections.
The announcement by the Central Election Commission (CEC) comes just two days after Nadezhdin submitted the signatures, so he could register as a candidate. The presidential hopeful has emerged as a pro-peace voice in Russia, and recently stated:
Deputy chairman of the CEC Nikolai Bulaev said in his statement that the CEC had found errors in the applications of both Nadezhdin and the nominee for the Communists of Russia party Sergei Malinkovich. One of the allegations is that the signatures are from deceased individuals. (Jurist)
Moscow court orders arrest of exiled novelist Boris Akunin
A Moscow court issued an arrest warrant in absentia on Feb. 6 for exiled novelist Grigori Chkhartishvili (pen name Boris Akunin) over his criticism of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Accused of “justifying terrorism” and spreading “fake news” about the Russian army, Akunin, who has resided outside Russia since 2014, faces charges initiated last month by Russian law enforcement. (Jurist)
Russia bans opposition candidate from presidential ballot
Russia’s Central Election Commission (CEC) banned opposition politician Boris Nadezhdin on Feb. 8 from the upcoming presidential election ballot. The commission made its decision after invalidating more than 9,000 signatures of support, leaving Nadezhdin short of the 95,000 valid signatures required to be listed on the ballot under Russian law. (Jurist)
Russia imprisons top scientist on treason charges
Renowned Russian scientist Alexander Kuranov received a seven-year sentence in a high-security prison on Apri 18 for state treason, according to the press service of the Courts of St. Petersburg.
Kuranov, who formerly headed a state research institute in St. Petersburg overseeing the Ayaks hypersonic aircraft program, was arrested in 2021 at the age of 73. The charges against him alleged collaboration with and divulgence of scientific advancements to foreign entities. (Jurist)
Russian court places journalist under house arrest
The Krasnoflotsky District Court has placed Forbes journalist Sergei Mingazov under house arrest, according to reports in Russias state media. Mingazov is accused of disseminating “fake” news on his Telegram account and criticizing Russian military operations in Ukraine. The posts on Mingazov’s Telegram included reposts from April 2022 of allegations that Russian forces killed civilians in Bucha. (Jurist)