A Russian court has convicted Ilya Sachkov, a top cyber security executive, of treason and sentenced him to 14 years in prison. State news agency TASS reported that the case revolved around allegations that Sachkov had passed classified information to foreign spies.
Ilya Sachkov, 37, is one of the co-founders of Group-IB, a prominent cyber security firm in Russia. Earlier this year, the company announced that it had severed ties with its original market. Sachkov, although no longer associated with Group-IB, still owns a share in its former Russian business.
Sachkov was arrested in September 2021 by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) on charges of treason, and the details of the case remain classified. During the court proceedings, Sachkov denied any wrongdoing and listened calmly to the verdict from inside a glass courtroom cage.
His lawyer expressed disappointment with the verdict and stated that they had presented sufficient evidence of his innocence. The legal team plans to appeal further and seek intervention from President Vladimir Putin.
Former colleagues of Sachkov, who acquired Group-IB’s Russian business and renamed it F.A.C.C.T., expressed support for him and said they hope for his release and rehabilitation. The court has ordered Sachkov to serve his sentence in a high-security penal colony.
At the time of his arrest, Group-IB focused on investigating high-tech crimes and online fraud both in Russia and abroad. Sachkov had previously voiced criticism against authorities, including accusations of not addressing prominent Russian criminal hackers and making toxic statements.
Before his detention, Sachkov was seen as one of Russia’s most promising businessmen and had met with President Putin in the Kremlin in 2019 after receiving a prize for young entrepreneurs.
Sachkov’s case adds to a growing list of individuals, including scientists, soldiers, officials, and a former journalist, who have faced treason charges in Russia in recent years.
