Activists decry the sentence as ‘savage’ and reflects the state of media freedom in Russia. Read more at straitstimes.com.
MOSCOW - A Russian court on Monday sentenced a former journalist to 22 years in prison for treason after prosecutors said he disclosed state secrets, a ruling his supporters said was a harsh punishment that showed the absence of media freedom in Russia.
Speaking outside the courtroom, Safronov's lawyer Dmitry Katchev said he was almost lost for words at the ruling. He said he could not find any examples of any treason cases leading to such a lengthy sentence, let alone against a journalist.Prosecutors said Safronov shared state secrets about Russia's arms sales in the Middle East to the Czech Republic's foreign intelligence arm.
Following his arrest, the Kremlin called Safronov a"talented journalist," but has repeatedly denied involvement with the case. "Ivan never sent any secret information anywhere - for money or for free… He was an ordinary journalist, honestly doing his job," his lawyers said in a statement.Reprisal
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