Russia Sentences Crimean Man to 14 Years on Treason Charges
In a continuing crackdown on those accused of aiding Ukraine or criticizing Russia’s military actions, Moscow sentenced Crimean resident Igor Kopyl to 14 years in a penal colony for treason. The FSB security service accused Kopyl of assisting Kyiv’s armed forces and planning a terrorist attack, claiming he transferred sensitive information to Ukraine about Russian military assets. This comes after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and launched an offensive against Ukraine in 2022, including from the peninsula.
Anti-Draft Protest and Criminal Case
Meanwhile, in a separate case, Russia opened a criminal investigation against Gulnara Bakhareva, a street sweeper in the Urals region, for allegedly justifying terrorism. Bakhareva expressed support for a man imprisoned for an arson attack on an army draft office during an anti-mobilization protest. This incident follows her previous fines for comments related to Ukraine’s actions in Crimea. The new charges against Bakhareva could result in up to five years in prison.