22 Mar 2022 13:49

Moscow court refuses to return journalist Safronov's case to Prosecutor's Office

MOSCOW. March 22 (Interfax) - The Moscow City Court will start considering the criminal case opened against Russian journalist Ivan Safronov, charged with high treason, on its merits on April 4, a court spokesperson told Interfax.

"Following a preliminary hearing, the court session has been scheduled for April 4," the spokesperson said.

Thus, the court rejected the defense team's request to send Safronov's case back to the Prosecutor's Office.

The court also extended Safronov's custody term by another six months at the request of the state prosecutor.

Safronov has been charged with two counts of high treason. The journalist, who still holds the post of advisor on information policy to Roscosmos' CEO, was detained on July 7, 2020,