In Moscow, a court extended the detention of former journalist Ivan Safronov

The Lefortovo District Court of Moscow extended for two months the detention of former Kommersant and Vedomosti journalist Ivan Safronov, who is accused under the article on treason (Article 275 of the Criminal Code). This is reported by the human rights project "Team 29".

“Eight months have passed since the preventive measure was chosen, but the investigation has not presented the court with any evidence of suspicions against Ivan, or documents confirming that Ivan can hide somewhere. All this makes it impossible to extend such a harsh measure, but the Lefortovo court remained true to its traditions, 100% satisfying the petitions of the FSB investigation in all similar cases. The court decision will be appealed by us in the near future, ”Team 29 quotes the words of Yevgeny Smirnov, a lawyer cooperating with the project, who defends Safronov.

The measure of restraint for the ex-journalist was extended until May 7. In November, the same court extended Safronov's detention in the pre-trial detention center until March 7. The Moscow City Court on December 17 left this decision unchanged.

Safronov's lawyer Ivan Pavlov told Interfax that a secret witness appeared in the case, who is described in the materials under the pseudonym "Lander".

“Ivan is definitely, absolutely sure – there are no assumptions here anymore – he is accused of normal journalistic activity,” the lawyer added in a conversation with the publication. He clarified that the defense came to this conclusion after examining the case materials submitted by the prosecution.

According to investigators, Ivan Safronov passed abroad information about Russia's military-technical cooperation with African countries, as well as information about the activities of the armed forces in the Middle East region. The investigation believes that the journalist was recruited by the Czech special services, however, according to the defense, no evidence of this has yet been presented.

• Ivan Safronov is a former journalist for Kommersant and Vedomosti, at the time of his arrest he was an adviser to the head of Roskosmos. The persecution of Safronov is associated with his journalistic activities, he covered the work of the military-industrial complex. Safronov was detained on July 7, 2020 by FSB officers as part of a treason case. On the same day, the court sent him to a pre-trial detention center for two months, then the arrest was extended until December.
• The Qualification Commission of the Council of the Moscow Chamber of Advocates refused to hold Ivan Safronov's lawyers accountable. The Ministry of Justice demanded this because the lawyers refused to give a non-disclosure agreement on the data of the preliminary investigation, which the investigator tried to take on July 13, the day Safronov was charged.
• In October, the investigator denied Safronov a telephone conversation with his mother. The law enforcement officer considered that the conversation could be used to "perform intelligence assignments of a foreign intelligence service."