Russia is speeding up treason and espionage trials — courts are sentencing two people a day
Russian courts processed state security cases faster in 2026 and handed down sentences at a higher rate, according to Department One, a Russian human rights group that analyzed data from the first quarter of the year.
Russian courts processed state security cases at a higher rate in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. Treason remained the primary charge, accounting for 90% of convictions, with an average sentence of 15 years and five months. Military courts are reportedly overburdened, leading to expedited case handling.
- 143 state security cases were processed in Q1 2026, with 62 (43%) resolved by quarter’s end.
- This represents a 1.7 times higher resolution rate than Q1 2025 (26%).
- 110 people were convicted in state security cases during Q1 2026, averaging two per working day.
- Treason accounted for 90% of convictions, with an average sentence of 15 years and five months.
- Military courts are described as overburdened, leading to planned work and set time allocations per case.
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