Russia jails journalist for 12 years on treason charge

A Moscow court convicted Russian journalist Darya Shipacheva of treason and sentenced her to 12 years in a penal colony, Interfax reported Wednesday. The trial was held behind closed doors and no official details were released. Interfax, citing other media, said the charges related to an alleged money transfer to Ukraine. Shipacheva pleaded guilty and received the minimum sentence for the offense. A short video shared by independent outlet Mediazona, filmed inside the courtroom, showed her looking shocked as the verdict was read. Mediazona said she specializes in science and medical journalism. Russia has tightened censorship laws and increased pressure on independent media since launching its war in Ukraine in 2022, the report noted.