The court approved the extension of the arrest of journalist Ivan Safronov accused of treason

The First Court of Appeal of General Jurisdiction declared legal and approved the extension of the arrest of journalist Ivan Safronov, accused under the article on treason (Article 275 of the Criminal Code). It is reported by TASS.

On October 4, Safronov's preventive measure was extended until January 7, 2022. According to the prosecution, he 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 Safronov's defense, no evidence of this has yet been provided.

• Ivan Safronov has been in jail since July 2020. His persecution is associated with journalistic activities - he covered the work of the military-industrial complex.
• During his detention, the journalist was subjected to pressure. So, FSB investigator Alexander Chaban offered Safronov a call from his mother in exchange for a deal with the investigation. The journalist’s mother is a witness in this case, so they are forbidden to communicate: the last time Safronov saw her was in July 2020, he was not even allowed to wish her a happy birthday. The journalist refused the investigator's proposal.