On Monday, the Federal Security Service (FSB) of the Russian Federation, charged Robert Shonov, a former US consulate contract employee in Moscow with high treason — a charge that carries a potential sentence of 12 to 20 years in prison.
This charge is prompted by Article 275 of Russia’s Criminal Code, which prohibits the disclosure of state secrets or aiding foreign states in activities that could be detrimental to Russia’s external security. Shonov, a Russian national, stands accused of gathering information for the US relating to special military operations in Ukraine. Additionally, the FSB claims he provided the US with military mobilization data and information concerning possible political protests leading up to Russia’s 2024 presidential elections.
In response to Shonov’s arrest in May, the US Department of State released a statement refuting these allegations. According to Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the State Department, Shonov was only tasked with compiling media summaries from publicly available Russian media sources — an action he claimed was in full compliance with Russia’s laws and regulations. In the same statement, the Department accused Russia of using laws such as Article 275 as a tool to oppress its own citizens.
The recent developments follow the July sentencing of Ilya Sachkov, a former high-ranking Russian cybersecurity executive, to fourteen years in prison for treason. Sachkov was also tried under Article 275, with FSB officials alleging he passed information to foreign spies. His arrest followed his critiques of the Russian government’s handling of ransomware attacks originating within its borders.
Sachkov had spent two years in pre-trial detention preceding his conviction. Meanwhile, the court is yet to announce a trial date for Shonov.
For more details, please refer to the complete report on JURIST – News.