The UN is concerned about the sharp increase in the number of cases of treason and espionage in Russia

UN experts note a sharp increase in the number of criminal cases on charges of espionage and treason in Russia this year. If last year 24 cases were instituted under the article of embezzlement and 16 people were convicted, then in the first six months of 2023 at least 43 suspects were charged with embezzlement. Such data are given by the UN special rapporteur on the situation with human rights in Russia Mariana Katsarova and the UN special rapporteur on freedom of speech, the former head of Amnesty International Iryn Khan.

The UN is alarmed by the recent increase in cases of using the provisions of the Criminal Code of Russia on espionage and treason for more frequent arrests of citizens. “This is a dangerous instrument, given the gravity of the charges and the complexity of public control in such cases,” the human rights defenders said in a statement.

In this regard, they remind us of the fate of the American journalist Evan Hershkovich, who has been in the Lefortovo pre-trial detention center in Moscow for over a hundred days on charges of espionage. The FSB claims that Hershkovich collected information about the enterprise of the military-industrial complex, which makes up the guest house.

Until now, only two consular visits have been allowed to him, despite the numerous requests of the US Ambassador to Russia Tracy Lynn, the UN reminded. The journalist faces 20 years in prison.

The United Nations calls the arrest of Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Hershkovich “an example of severe restrictions on freedom of opinion and expression, as well as independent journalism in Russia after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine 17 months ago.” In their statement, human rights activists call on the Russian authorities to immediately release the American journalist.

• According to open data, the number of criminal cases of treason in Russia increased sharply in March – nine of them were initiated in a month.
• In 2023, reports began to appear that Russians were being prosecuted under the article of embezzlement for transferring money to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine: only in the last week, the FSB reported on two such arrests.
• In April, the State Duma of Russia adopted amendments in three readings introducing life imprisonment for treason.
• “Gosizmena” is among the charges against opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison on April 17.
• In September last year, former Kommersant journalist Ivan Safronov was sentenced to 22 years on charges of treason. The journalist does not admit guilt. Many of his colleagues and human rights defenders consider the sentence to be revenge for professional activity.