Moscow — A Moscow court on Wednesday sentenced Russian journalist Darya Shipacheva to 12 years in a penal colony after convicting her of treason in a case linked to an alleged money transfer to Ukraine.
The trial was held behind closed doors, with authorities releasing no official details of the proceedings. However, the Interfax news agency, citing other media reports, said the charges were based on claims that Shipacheva transferred funds to Ukraine.
Shipacheva pleaded guilty and received the minimum sentence prescribed for the offence.
A short video published by independent news outlet Mediazona from inside the courtroom showed the journalist appearing visibly shocked as the verdict was delivered.
According to Mediazona, Shipacheva specialised in science and medical journalism and had worked for several prominent Russian media organisations.
The conviction comes amid an intensified crackdown on independent journalism in Russia since the country launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Authorities have introduced stricter censorship laws and expanded pressure on journalists and media outlets critical of the government.
Ahead of the verdict, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a global press freedom advocacy organisation, said 29 journalists were imprisoned in Russia in connection with their work, underscoring growing concerns over media freedom in the country – Reuters.
