Russia to keep ex-journalist accused of treason behind bars
A Russian court on Wednesday (September 2) ordered former newspaper journalist Ivan Safronov to be kept in custody for another three months pending trial on charges of state treason that have sent a chill through Russia's media landscape.
His defence plan to submit an appeal, which will also be considered by the Moscow City Court in the near future.
He could face up to two decades in jail if found guilty at a trial that is likely to be held behind closed doors because of the sensitive nature of the charges.
Some Russian journalists and rights advocates fear he is the victim of a crackdown on the media and that the secrecy surrounding the case is being used to conceal bogus charges.
Safronov committed the alleged crime when working as a journalist covering military affairs for the Kommersant newspaper.
