Nikita Zhuravel, a Russian political prisoner who was beaten by the teenage son of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov while in pretrial detention, has been charged with high treason.
The Russian Prosecutor-General's Office announced on October 3 that Zhuravel's case has been forwarded to the Volgograd regional court.
The new charge stems from allegations that in March 2023, Zhuravel, 20, sent a video to a representative of Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) that reportedly contained footage of military equipment being transported by train, images of military aircraft, and details of a service vehicle's movements.
Under Russian law, treason can result in a life sentence.
Zhuravel is already serving a 3 1/2-year prison sentence handed down by a Chechen court in February after being convicted of hooliganism for publicly burning a Koran in his hometown of Volgograd.
He was also sentenced to 300 hours of community service for insulting religious believers.
During the trial, Zhuravel apologized to the Muslim community, acknowledging his actions but claiming he had no intention to offend anyone.
The case drew widespread attention when it was revealed that while Zhuravel was in custody in Chechnya, he was attacked by Adam Kadyrov, the 15-year-old son of Ramzan Kadyrov.
A video of the assault in a jail was shared on social media by the elder Kadyrov, sparking public outrage.
Despite this, law enforcement in Chechnya declined to pursue a criminal investigation, citing a lack of evidence.
Kadyrov defended his son's actions, publicly stating that it would have been better if his son had killed Zhuravel.
Adam Kadyrov was later awarded the title of “Hero of the Republic of Chechnya,” the highest honor in the region, and received further accolades from several Russian regions.
The human rights group Memorial has recognized Zhuravel as a political prisoner, raising doubts about the Koran-burning accusations and criticizing his transfer from Volgograd to mostly Muslim-populated Chechnya for investigation and trial.
The organization has also condemned the violence Zhuravel endured in detention as a serious legal violation.