‘The investigation is very afraid’: Russian investigators banned jailed journalist Ivan Safronov from sending and receiving letters. For Meduza, his lawyer explains why.

Since his arrest on treason charges in July 2020, Ivan Safronov -- a former journalist and advisor to the head of Russia's space agency -- has been in custody in Moscow's Lefortovo remand prison. This entire time, he hasn't been allowed a single visit from family members or even a phone call. In July, Safronov told his lawyers that he was offered a phone call with his mother in exchange for a confession -- this proposal was put forward by Alexander Chaban, the FSB investigator leading Safronov's case. Safronov refused and, as a result, has only been able to communicate with his family through letters and, sometimes, at court hearings (though these proceedings take place behind closed doors, relatives are usually allowed to enter the courtroom for a few minutes during recesses). Last Friday, October 15, BBC News Russian reported that on orders from investigator Chaban, Safronov had been stripped of his right to send and receive correspondence. For Meduza, Safronov's lawyer Evgeny Smirnov explains the logic and the legality of this decision. Original Article: https://meduza.io/en/feature/2021/10/18/the-investigation-is-very-afraid