MOSCOW -- The trial of Ivan Safronov, a prominent former Russian journalist accused of high treason in a case widely considered as politically motivated, has started.
The Moscow City Court started the high-profile trial behind closed doors on April 4 with Safronov facing a possible penalty of 25 years in prison if convicted on a charge that he passed secret information about Russian arms sales in the Middle East to NATO member the Czech Republic in 2017.
The Meduza newspaper published the text of Safronov's testimony at the trial that it obtained from his former lawyer, Ivan Pavlov, according to which, Safronov, who was arrested on July 7, 2020, reiterated his innocence and called the charge against him illegal.
The 31-year-old journalist, who covered the defense industry for the newspapers Kommersant and Vedomosti, is also a former adviser to the head of Russia's space agency Roskosmos, Dmitry Rogozin.
Safronov has repeatedly denied the accusations and his supporters have held pickets in Moscow and other cities demanding his release.
Human rights organizations have issued statements demanding Safronov’s release and expressing concerns over an intensifying crackdown on dissent in Russia.
