Russian Supreme Court declines appeals against sentence to Ukrainian Sushchenko convicted for espionage

11:52, 12.09.2018 1 min read

The Russian Supreme Court has upheld the sentence handed down to Ukrainian journalist Roman Sushchenko, who was sentenced to 12 years in a high-security colony for espionage, an Interfax correspondent has reported.

"The sentence handed down by the Moscow City Court on July 4, 2018 is upheld. The appeals are declined," the Supreme Court appellate collegium said in its decision.

Thus, the sentence has taken legal effect and is subject to enforcement.

Sushchenko was arrested in October 2016 on charges of espionage (Article 276 of the Criminal Code of Russia) and was remanded in custody under a ruling by Moscow's Lefortovo district court.

Lawyer Mark Feygin said that Sushchenko, who lived in France for over six years while being a Paris correspondent of the Ukrinform news agency paid numerous visits to Russia and during his detention was on a personal business in Russia, where his relatives live.

On July 4, the Moscow City Court sentenced Sushchenko to 12 years in a high-security penitentiary. The court hearings were held behind closed doors as the case was "classified." Sushchenko did not admit his guilt.