Moscow City Court found journalist Daria Shipacheva guilty of treason and sentenced her to 12 years in prison. Detained in April 2025, Shipacheva was first held at a detention center in Rostov-on-Don before being transferred to Lefortovo Prison in Moscow.
Exiled outlet Meduza reported that the trial was held behind closed doors and lasted only 90 minutes. Independent publication T-Invariant stated that the conviction was based on a money transfer to a Ukrainian family member. According to sources, investigators reinterpreted this civilian money transfer and built the entire treason charge on that basis.
Defense argued for mitigating factors
Shipacheva's lawyers requested a reduced sentence, stating that she cooperated with law enforcement and admitted guilt. However, the court upheld the 12-year prison term. Footage published by independent news outlet Sotavision showed Shipacheva in shock as she heard the verdict.
Journalism career and rising treason cases
Between 2019 and 2025, Shipacheva worked as a freelance medical reporter for outlets such as Forbes Russia, RBC, and Takie Dela. She had previously faced online harassment from members of the radical-nationalist 'Male State' group over her views on gender issues.
Meanwhile, according to data from the exiled news site Vyorstka, Russian courts convicted a record 312 people on charges of treason, espionage, and illegal cooperation with a foreign state in the first six months of 2026.