Shadiyev said he was unaware that the organizations were banned and believed his money would go to charitable causes. Even setting that aside, a donation of about 1,200 rubles cannot pose a threat to the security of a nuclear power and should not be punished with sentences typically reserved for Islamic State militants. Cases based not on actions, but on the mere allegation of intent, make up about a quarter of all such prosecutions.

In 2025, Russian courts handed down a record number of convictions in espionage and treason cases, according to a study published in late December by the human rights project Pervy Otdel (lit. “Department One”) and Parubets Analytics. A total of 468 people were convicted on statutes related to “spying” and at least 420 others remain under investigation, while courts are still considering another 179 cases.

Accused of committing an explosion on the Crimean Bridge in October 2022. Photo: EPA Society Ivan Pavlov 16 January 2026 In 2025, Russian courts handed down a record number of verdicts in cases of espionage and treason, according to a study published at the end of December by the human rights project First Department and Parubets Analytics.

OPINION Russia’s Potemkin “treason” industry: despite record convictions, the Kremlin’s intelligence services are not catching actual spies 14 May 2024 Ivan Pavlov Lawyer In 2023, Russia saw an unprecedented surge in guilty verdicts for state treason — a staggering 39, 2.5 times more than in 2022. At the same time, nearly a hundred new cases were initiated, meaning that the years 2024 and 2025 hold the potential to break records once again.

Opinions Cool head and short hands: Russia is breaking records for the number of “state traitors”, but the special services are not ready to catch real spies 10 May 2024 Ivan Pavlov advocate Last year, an unprecedented number of sentences were handed down under the article of treason in modern Russia - 39, which is 2.5 times more than the year before. All verdicts, of course, are guilty. At the same time, about a hundred new cases were initiated.

OPINION Confess or else: How torture shattered Russia's entire law enforcement system 26 April 2024 Ivan Pavlov Lawyer On April 16th, a court in Tver arrested another suspect — number twelve, so far — in connection with the March 22 terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall outside of Moscow. Using this case as an example, lawyer Ivan Pavlov explains how the investigation has discredited itself literally from day one, rendering any search for justice meaningless.

Opinions Recognition is power. How torture finally destroyed the law enforcement system in Russia 23 April 2024 Ivan Pavlov advocate On April 16, the court in Tver arrested the next, already the twelfth suspect in involvement in the terrorist attack in Crocus City Hall. On the example of this case, lawyer Ivan Pavlov explains how, even in obvious circumstances, the investigation discredits himself from the very first day and makes justice justice.

In order not to miss the main materials of "Cold", subscribe to our instagram and telegram . The other day, Kholod asked me to reflect on the topic of a comma in one of the main phrases of recent months: “You can’t leave, you can’t stay.” I have something to say about this, especially since September 1 marks exactly one year since I myself was forced to leave Russia.

Lawyer Ivan Pavlov - about why the FSB officers detained the scientist Dmitry Kolker. He had the fourth stage of cancer, immediately after his arrest he died Archive of Alina Mironova (daughter of Dmitry Kolker) Dmitry Kolker before hospitalization. June 29, 2022 On June 30, the court in Novosibirsk was arrested by the physicist of Dmitry Kolker - he was suspected of state treason.

The St. Petersburg lawyer and founder of the “ team 29 ” Ivan Pavlov said that he had left Russia. He wrote about this in his telegram channel. According to him, he is now in Georgia. Ivan Pavlov advocate - The prohibitions that were imposed on me in connection with the criminal case gradually made my work impossible. I was forbidden to use communications and the Internet, to communicate with the client and some colleagues.

The acute form of spyingomania began in Russia in 2012-2014, and no one needs to remind that it was during the time: mass protests in Bolotnaya Square and Sakharov Avenue, a rhetoric of the Cold War, then Crimea, Donbass and sanctions. They constantly repeat to us that we live in wartime: Russia must arm ourselves, the whole world against us, enemies around. And enemies are not only external, but also internal.

The acute form of spyingomania began in Russia in 2012-2014, and no one needs to remind that it was during the time: mass protests in Bolotnaya Square and Sakharov Avenue, a rhetoric of the Cold War, then Crimea, Donbass and sanctions. They constantly repeat to us that we live in wartime: Russia must arm ourselves, the whole world against us, enemies around. And enemies are not only external, but also internal.

More than 20 residents of St. Petersburg filed a collective lawsuit in the city court on invalidating some provisions of the regulations of the city government on restrictions in the context of coronavirus. This “Paper” was told in the human rights association “Team 29”, representing the plaintiffs.

The secret service chose a good time to hide from public scrutiny The topic of coronavirus has recently captured everyone's attention. Nothing surprising when it comes to the pandemic and the global economic crisis. However, against this background, it became somehow awkward to draw public attention to other issues that until recently were of paramount importance on the social agenda.