Treason in Russia

History

2024: Increase in the number of sentences for treason by 4 times to 145 people

In April 2025, the Judicial Department at the Supreme Court of Russia published statistics according to which the number of sentences for high treason in 2024 almost quadrupled compared to 2023. Under Article 275 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (high treason), 145 people were convicted in 2024, while in 2023 this figure was 39 people.

According to TASS, two convicts of high treason in 2024 were sentenced to life imprisonment, while in 2023 only one person received such a punishment. The number of sentences for espionage has also significantly increased (Article 276 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) - up to 23 people in 2024 against 9 in 2023.

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Фото: Freepik

Separately, statistics record an increase in the number of convicts under Article 275.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (cooperation on a confidential basis with a foreign state, international or foreign organization in order to assist in activities deliberately directed against the security of Russia). Under this article, 21 people were convicted in 2024, which is more than twice the figure in 2023, when 9 people were convicted.

A notable feature of the statistics was that a third of those convicted of treason were young people under the age of 24. Of these, 40 people are between the ages of 18 and 24, and four are minors between the ages of 14 and 17. Also, among those convicted of treason, there are 13 people aged 50 to 59 years and 6 people over 60 years old.

In gender terms, among those convicted of high treason - 7 women. By social status, 11 students or students are distinguished, as well as three civil servants.

In comparison, 16 people were convicted under the treason clause in 2022, showing a steady upward trend in similar sentences over the past three years - from 16 in 2022 to 145 in 2024.^[1]

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