Russian court rejects appeal of ex-journalist Safronov against 22-year treason sentence

Record ID: 1701289

  • Title: Russian court rejects appeal of ex-journalist Safronov against 22-year treason sentence
  • Date: 7th December 2022
  • Summary: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (DECEMBER 7, 2022) (REUTERS) EX-REPORTER IVAN SAFRONOV INSIDE DEFENDANT'S CAGE IN COURTROOM WITH MEDIA AND GUARDS NEARBY SAFRONOV SMILING SAFRONOV IN A CAGE, MEDIA FILMING, TAKING PICTURES SAFRONOV IN CAGE NODDING MEDIA AND SECURITY GUARD (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) EX-REPORTER, IVAN SAFRONOV, SAYING: "I hope I won't be sent to Magadan or Anadyr (in Russia's far north-east). But if I go to Anadyr, I'll be clearing snow in winter and chopping down trees in summer." SAFRONOV, MEDIA, AND GUARDS IN THE COURTROOM (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) EX-REPORTER, IVAN SAFRONOV, SAYING: "I hope I won't only be released in 20 years. But if it's in 20 years, it's worth it for having a clear conscience." SAFRONOV GESTURING IN CAGE (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) EX-REPORTER, IVAN SAFRONOV, SAYING: "I will not tell you now, what (the investigators) wanted and demanded from me. I think it is clear without saying. I didn't strike a deal with my conscience. I didn't slander anyone - absolutely anyone; anyone." JUDGES ENTERING COURTROOM (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) JUDGE OF MOSCOW APPEAL COURT, ALEXANDER BESEDIN, SAYING: "(OVER SAFRONOV IN CAGE LISTENING, SMILING) The verdict of Moscow city court dated September 5, 2022, with regard to Ivan Ivanovich Safronov, is to leave (the 22-year sentence) without change - the appeal is not granted." MEDIA LEAVING THE COURTROOM, WAVING TO SAFRONOV MOSCOW, RUSSIA (NOVEMBER 30, 2022) (REUTERS) SCULPTURE OF JUSTICE IN COURT OF APPEAL LOBBY INTERIOR OF COURT WITH LIFTS MOVING UP AND DOWN SIGN READING (Russian): "Russian Federation. First Regular Court of Appeal." VARIOUS OF COURTHOUSE ENTRANCE VARIOUS OF COURTHOUSE EXTERIORS
  • Embargoed: 21st December 2022 15:46
  • Keywords: Russia Safronov appeal court espionage journalist treason
  • Location: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
  • City: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
  • Country: Russia
  • Topics: Crime/Law/Justice,Europe,Judicial Process/Court Cases/Court Decisions
  • Reuters ID: LVA001509707122022RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: FOR FILE FOOTAGE OF SAFRONOV CASE, SEE EDIT 4797; REACTION FROM LAWYERS TO FOLLOW SHORTLY
    Former Russian defence reporter Ivan Safronov lost his appeal on Wednesday (December 7) against a 22-year jail sentence handed down for treason early this year.
    Safronov, a reporter for the Kommersant and Vedomosti newspapers who later worked as an adviser to the head of Russia's space agency, was arrested in 2020 and accused of disclosing classified information.
    His supporters called his sentencing in September an unjustified and draconian measure that showed the absence of media freedom in Russia.
    Speaking from the defendant's cage before the ruling was announced, Safronov joked with reporters and said he was writing a book. "Life goes on," he said.
    Safronov also said that he hoped he would not be sent too far from Moscow and that his conscience had stopped him from giving in to pressure to cut a deal with investigators.
    Prosecutors said Safronov, 32, shared state secrets about Russia's arms sales in the Middle East with the Czech Republic's foreign intelligence arm.
    He denied having disclosed any information that was not available from open sources and rejected a plea deal in which he would have been sentenced to 12 years.
    His defence team said the trial was retribution for Safronov drawing attention to Russia's plans to sell fighter jets to Egypt.
    The estimated $2 billion deal was scrapped soon afterwards, when the United States threatened to impose sanctions on Egypt if it went ahead.
    During the trial, Safronov's legal team published links to 19 published articles and government statements containing the purportedly secret information that he was alleged to have disclosed to Czech foreign intelligence.
    Speaking outside the court building, Dmitry Katchev, a member of Safronov's defence team, said they were disappointed by the ruling and would appeal again.
    The Kremlin has denied influencing the case, which sparked an outcry from Russian journalists. The European Union had urged Russia to rescind all the charges and release Safronov unconditionally.
    The heavy sentence - more than Russian courts typically hand down in murder cases - was seen as a further blow against press freedom at a time when the Kremlin has intensified pressure on independent media outlets since sending its armed forces into Ukraine on February 24.
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