- Title: Russia charges ex-journalist Ivan Safronov with treason despite outcry
- Date: 13th July 2020
- Summary: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (JULY 13, 2020) (REUTERS) JOURNALIST STANDING WITH PLACARD IN SUPPORT OF EX-JOURNALIST, NOW AIDE TO RUSSIAN SPACE AGENCY HEAD IVAN SAFRONOV, SAYING (Russian) "This is to support Vanya", GETTING DETAINED BY POLICE JOURNALIST BEING ESCORTED INSIDE POLICE BUS POLICE USING LOUDSPEAKER SAYING (Russian) "Dear citizens, your action is not unauthorized, we ask you to leave." VARIOUS OF JOURNALIST SEARCHED NEAR POLICE BUS VARIOUS OF POLICE AND JOURNALISTS AT SITE JOURNALIST TATYANA FELGENHAUER FILMING HERSELF WITH MOBILE PHONE AND SPEAKING POLICE AND JOURNALISTS AT SITE (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) JOURNALIST, TATYANA FELGENHAUER, SAYING: "Everything about Ivan Safronov case is blatant and outrageous. I do not understand how is that possible, we have known Vanya for a long time, he is a professional journalist. It is obvious to me that he is being persecuted for professional activity, no matter what some other people might say." SAFRONOV'S LAWYER, IVAN PAVLOV, TALKING TO JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) SAFRONOV'S LAWYER, IVAN PAVLOV, SAYING: "I consider this case to be dangerous for journalism in Russia. The outcome of this case will determine, how safely will you be able to write, conduct investigations, report, speak about what happens in our country." JOURNALIST BEING DETAINED POLICE TRUCK DRIVING (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) SAFRONOV'S LAWYER, IVAN PAVLOV, SAYING: "At this level of militarism among those in power and in society in general, the borders of what information is considered sensitive are being eroded. Any information is sensitive now." JOURNALISTS OUTSIDE DETENTION CENTRE POLICE TALKING TO WOMAN JOURNALISTS AT SITE PAVLOV SPEAKING TO JOURNALISTS AFTER LEAVING DETENTION CENTRE (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) SAFRONOV'S LAWYER, IVAN PAVLOV, SAYING: "The investigation keeps us completely ignorant. By doing this, they violate the basic right of Ivan Safronov, a defendant's right - to know what he is charged with." MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) SAFRONOV'S LAWYER, IVAN PAVLOV, SAYING: "I have a clue why they do this. They cover the information so that the connection between the prosecution and Ivan's journalism is not obvious. Once they unveil something, it becomes obvious, and journalists have even more questions - not to the lawyers, but to the investigation." JOURNALISTS AT SITE
- Embargoed: 27th July 2020 15:25
- Keywords: FSB court detention centre journalist detained protest state treason charges
- Location: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- City: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- Country: Russia
- Topics: Crime/Law/Justice
- Reuters ID: LVA001CMN7BD3
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Russia charged former military journalist Ivan Safronov with state treason on Monday (July 13), his lawyer said, accusations that have sent a chill through Russia's media community which has protested over what it says is his unfair treatment.
Security forces last week detained Safronov, who left journalism and in May became an adviser at Russia's space agency, and accused him of passing military secrets to the Czech Republic.
He faces up to 20 years in jail if found guilty of a charge he denies.
Police detained around a dozen journalists who gathered outside his detention facility on Monday to offer their support in a case they say is shrouded in unacceptable secrecy.
Details are sparse given its sensitive nature and his trial is likely to be held behind closed doors.
Ivan Pavlov, his lawyer, last week said that the information he is accused of handing over concerned Russian arms deliveries to the Middle East and Africa.
Pavlov cited investigators as saying the secrets were later shared with the United States.
A petition demanding officials declassify the case, spell out the allegations against him and publish key evidence has so far been signed by 55,000 people.
Sergei Naryshkin, head of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, has advised Russians not to pressure investigators.
Safronov, who used to work for the Kommersant and Vedomosti dailies, was part of the Kremlin pool, the reporters accredited to cover events with President Vladimir Putin.
(Production: Lev Sergeev, Gennadiy Novik, Dmitry Turlyun) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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