Rise in treason convictions: More Russians incarcerated for state betrayal
Illustrative photo (Photo: Getty Images)
Russians are increasingly being imprisoned for treason in 2023, setting a record for the number of criminal cases under this classification, reports the Center for Strategic Communications and Information Security.
It's reported that since the beginning of the year, at least 70 cases of treason have been brought to Russian courts, according to official data. Out of these, 37 cases have already received verdicts, all of which are convictions.
"Experts believe this significant number of treason cases largely results from provocations by the Federal Security Service," the material reads.
More criminal cases might exist
The actual number of cases related to treason might be significantly higher than the official records.
SPRAVDI portal writes that over 100 cases could have been initiated this year alone. The count continues to rise.
Russian courts have been sending critics of Vladimir Putin's regime to prison
Last year, Moscow's Meshchansky District Court sentenced Russian opposition figure Ilya Yashin to 8.5 years in prison over alleged fakes regarding crimes of the Russian army.
In April 2023, it was revealed that Vladimir Kara-Murza, another Russian opposition politician, was sentenced to 25 years in prison on charges of treason for spreading fakes about the Russian military.
