Russian journalist Darya Shipacheva was convicted of treason by a Moscow court and sentenced on Wednesday to 12 years in a penal colony, reports BritPanorama.
The trial was held behind closed doors, with no official details released regarding the case. Interfax, citing other media sources, reported that the charges stemmed from an alleged money transfer to Ukraine.
Shipacheva pleaded guilty and received the minimum sentence for the offense. A short video posted by independent news outlet Mediazona showed her looking shocked as the verdict was read.
According to Mediazona, she specialised in science and medical journalism and was affiliated with several prominent Russian media organisations.
Since launching its war in Ukraine in 2022, Russia has tightened censorship laws and increased pressure on independent media. Prior to the verdict, the Committee to Protect Journalists, an independent non-profit that advocates for press freedom globally, noted that 29 journalists were imprisoned in Russia in connection with their work.
The ongoing suppression of journalism in Russia continues to raise concerns about the future of press freedom in the region.
