Russian Scientist Charged With Treason Reiterates Innocence In Final Statement Before Verdict

Anatoly Maslov (file photo)

Russian physicist Anatoly Maslov reiterated his innocence in his final statement on May 17 at his treason trial before the court renders its verdict. A day earlier, the prosecution asked the court to convict the scientist and sentence him to 17 years in prison. The 77-year-old Maslov was arrested in June 2022. A leading expert in the field of fluid gas and a professor at the Aerohydrodynamics Department at Novosibirsk State Technical University, he is accused of passing classified information to Germany. At least 12 scientists have been arrested in Russia on treason charges since 2018, mostly for activities considered a normal part of scientific work such as publishing papers internationally, collaborating with colleagues from around the world, and attending conferences outside of Russia. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Siberia.Realities, click here.