In 2024, Russian courts issued a record number of sentences in the last 15 years for cases of 'treason,' 'espionage,' and 'disclosure of state secrets,' according to data from the judicial department at the Supreme Court, highlighted by 'Verstka'*.
Last year, 156 people were convicted of 'treason,' 11 of whom were under additional qualifications. This is four times more than in 2023, when 39 people were found guilty.
Under the article on 'espionage,' 24 people were convicted in 2024, one of them under additional qualifications. The previous record was in 2023, when nine people were convicted. In the first year of the full-scale war, there was only one sentence in an espionage case. Thus, in two years, their number increased 24 times.
Under the article on 'disclosure of state secrets,' Russian courts last year sentenced 77 defendants, including three under additional qualifications. This is four more than in 2023.
Among the convicted are seven women and four teenagers. The first sentence under the article on treason was given in December 2023 to 17-year-old Kevin Leak, who was released in August as part of an exchange.
The majority of those convicted of 'treason' (40) are aged 18 to 24, 35 convicts are aged 30 to 39. 28 convicts belong to the age category of 40 to 49 years. Six more people are over 60 years old.
* Recognized in Russia as a 'foreign agent.'