Susanna Riva A court in Kaliningrad, the Baltic exclave of the Russian Federation, has sentenced Maria Bontsler , an internationally recognized civil rights lawyer, to 12 years in prison . The sentence, made public on Thursday, is based on a charge of high treason and includes exile in a penal colony. The entire proceedings were held behind closed doors, without the presence of independent lawyers or the defendant herself, who has expressed her dissociation from the charges.
Maria Bontsler, 66, was arrested in Kaliningrad last May on the initial charge of "confidential cooperation with a foreign state." The charge was later upgraded to the more serious crime of treason, for alleged information exchange with Ukrainian intelligence services. The professional, who has been involved for decades in the defense of dissidents, political opponents, and other persecuted figures, has categorically denied any responsibility, maintaining that the information in question was already in the public domain and disclosed during court hearings.
Charges of high treason and the prosecution's reasons
According to investigators, Bontsler provided the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) with sensitive data regarding FSB officials involved in investigations into espionage, treason, and terrorism. Authorities allege that the information was collected while she was representing defendants in those same proceedings, thus constituting "secret cooperation" with a foreign power.
During the preliminary phase, the case was upgraded from “confidential cooperation” to high treason , a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison under Russian law.
Cooperation with Ukraine
The charges allege that Bontsler passed on details about the FSB's operational structure to Ukrainian authorities, thus allowing a potential enemy to access strategic information. The defense, however, insists that every piece of information disclosed was already contained in the court files, rendering the prosecution's claim legally unfounded. The case has attracted the attention of international observers, who have raised doubts about the true nature of the charges and the use of the "treason" code as a tool to repress the lawyers.
Closed-door trial and health conditions
The trial was conducted entirely behind closed doors. Independent lawyers and the defendant herself were excluded from the hearings, thus violating the principles of transparency and advocacy. During her pre-trial detention, Maria Bontsler reported experiencing several health problems, including a cardiac arrest for which she claimed she had not received adequate treatment. The lack of medical care has been repeatedly documented by human rights observers , who have highlighted the risk of worsening chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.
Heart problems and insufficient care
In his final court appearance, Bontsler stated that the entire persecution stemmed from his professional work defending opponents and dissidents. He also denounced the lack of timely medical intervention, calling the situation "irreparable damage" to his health. Doctors at the detention center confirmed that emergency measures were not implemented in accordance with international standards, contributing to a health crisis that, he said, could have been life-threatening.
Reactions from human rights organizations
The Nobel Memorial Association, which advocates for civil rights, has labeled Maria Bontsler a "political prisoner." The group expressed concern about the manifestly political nature of the crime she is accused of, arguing that the conviction is a form of retaliation for her legal work. Several international NGOs have called for an immediate review of the sentence and the lawyer's release, citing violations of globally recognized criminal and human rights standards.