Russian Authorities Charge Former Media Leader with Treason Amid Nationwide Raids

Russian law enforcement has charged former independent media executive Pavel Andreyev with treason following nationwide raids targeting activists and journalists, as reported by state media on Tuesday, citing the Federal Security Service (FSB).

According to Russian legislation, treason can result in a lifetime prison sentence. The FSB did not confirm whether Andreyev had been arrested.

Andreyev was at the helm of the now-exiled regional news organization 7×7 since its inception in 2010, until he resigned in June 2022, a few months after Russia launched its large-scale invasion of Ukraine. He decided to stay in the country despite increasing pressure on independent press.

The FSB branch in Karelia accused 7×7 and the Revolt Center— a cultural venue in the Komi republic that Andreyev played a role in establishing— of accepting foreign funding, according to the state-owned TASS news agency.

Authorities conducted raids in 12 regions to collect evidence against Andreyev and to identify potential accomplices. Several journalists were reportedly detained during these operations.

In the wake of the raids, the Revolt Center announced that it would suspend its activities indefinitely.

A video released by local news outlet Kominform showed masked FSB agents conducting searches at the Revolt Center in Syktyvkar, the capital of Komi. The footage included items like Canadian and U.S. flags, the business card of the late Polish historian Andrzej Przewoźnik, and various currencies, which included Russian rubles, U.S. dollars, and euros.

The FSB accused Andreyev of managing projects “aimed at undermining Russia’s territorial integrity and constitutional order” and of collaborating with foreign intelligence agencies for financial benefit since 2019.

The agency claimed, “For an extended period, Andreyev kept covert communications with NATO representatives and organizations linked to foreign intelligence that engaged in subversive activities within Russia.”