According to a report released by the Perviy Otdel, a human rights organization made up of Russian activist lawyers, the Russian authorities have opened an unprecedented 70 cases in 2023, charged either under state treason or for confidential cooperation with a foreign state or organization. This figure includes both new cases and 28 cases pending from previous years, with 37 reaching a guilty verdict, marking a historical high.
Most cases appear to have been instigated by the Federal Security Service (FSB), often involving online sting operations targeting individuals opposing war. These operations often targeted those supporting the Ukrainian Army, intending to travel or provide aid to Ukraine, expressing a desire to join the Freedom of Russia Legion or defect from the Russian army to volunteer against Russian aggression in Ukraine. Successful sting operations resulted in arrests under Article 275 for treason or Article 275.1 for confidential cooperation with foreign entities.
Article 275 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation defines state treason broadly, leaving ample room for prosecution. In contrast, in nations like the US, treason laws (referencing the 18 U.S.C. § 2381) and the constitutional definition (Article 3) often afford the accused a better opportunity to defend themselves.
The majority of these defendants remain unidentified, though a few made public include Russia’s opposition activist Kara-Murza, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison, and Robert Shonov, a former contract employee of the US consulate in Moscow, who was charged with treason. In addition, Ilya Sachkov, a cybersecurity executive, also faced a 14-year jail sentence.
This escalation in treason cases signals a hardening climate against dissent in Russia, with far-reaching implications for civil liberties and international diplomacy.