The Second Western District Military Court sentenced former Russian military man Artem Semenov to 13 years in a strict regime colony, finding him guilty of “high treason” (Article 275 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). In addition, he was stripped of the rank of sergeant. Interfax writes about this with reference to its correspondent.
The press service of the court reports that the crime that Semyonov is charged with was committed before the start of a full-scale war against Ukraine. Before the arrest, which took place on March 30, 2022, he served in one of the parts of the Belgorod region. The materials of the criminal case are classified, which is why the trial was held behind closed doors. The details of the case are unknown.
After the death of Z-military officer Vladlen Tatarsky (Maxim Fomin), amendments were made to the State Duma to toughen penalties for "terrorism" (Article 205 of the Criminal Code) and "treason." According to them, life imprisonment is provided for the latter, and it is proposed to increase the maximum term for the “terrorist attack”. Now it is 15 years in prison, the deputies propose to increase it to 20 years.