MOSCOW – A Russian man, previously convicted of burning a Quran, has been sentenced to an additional 14 years in a maximum-security penal colony for treason. The Volgograd Regional Court handed down the sentence to Nikita Zhuravel on Monday, according to Russian state news agency Tass.
Zhuravel, who was convicted earlier this year for burning the Muslim holy book outside a Volgograd mosque, had already been serving a three-and-a-half-year sentence for inciting religious hatred.
The new charges stem from accusations that Zhuravel provided intelligence to Ukraine. Russian investigators allege that in March 2023, Zhuravel shared videos of Russian military equipment and movements with a representative of Ukraine’s security services via a messaging app.
While the court allowed Zhuravel to appeal the latest ruling, his lawyer confirmed his intent to challenge the decision.
This case highlights growing tensions in Russia amid the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, as authorities crack down on dissent and perceived threats to national security.