Russian ex-journalist Safronov gets 22 years in prison for treason
Mon, September 5, 2022 at 6:29 AM·3 min read
(Reuters) -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.
Ivan Safronov, a former defence reporter for the Kommersant and Vedomosti newspapers turned adviser to the head of Russia's space agency, was arrested in 2020 and accused of disclosing classified information.
Safronov's lawyers said they would appeal the verdict. His supporters say the case is retribution for his reporting which exposed details of Russia's international arms deals.
Speaking outside the courtoom, Safronov's lawyer Dmitry Katchev said he was almost lost for words at the ruling.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/russian-ex-journalist-safronov-gets-132956291.html
