Russian physicist Artem Khoroshilov sentenced to 21 years in prison for “state treason”

Russian physicist Artem Khoroshilov, 34, has been sentenced to 21 years in prison on treason charges for allegedly donating to a Ukrainian foundation.

According to the verdict, Khoroshilov will spend the first five years in prison, with the remaining term to be served in a high-security penal colony. He was also fined 700,000 rubles ($9,200), and his freedom of movement will be limited for two years upon his release.

The prosecution had requested a 25-year sentence. In her closing statement, the prosecutor argued that the judge ought to take Khoroshilov’s high intellect under consideration as an aggravating circumstance.

Khoroshilov was tried on four counts. In addition to “state treason,” he is also charged with “unauthorized interference with critical information infrastructure,” preparation of a sabotage act, and “illegal manufacture of explosives and explosive devices.”

The treason charge arose from donations to Ukrainian foundations, which Khoroshilov does not deny. According to Russia’s Federal Security Service, Khoroshilov “regularly transferred personal funds and cryptocurrency to the accounts of funds registered in Ukraine, [including] for the purchase of weapons for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.” He is accused of donating 700,000 rubles ($9,200) to the Ukrainian fund Come Back Alive and other organizations.