Russian Photographer Jailed for 16 Years on Treason Charges for Sharing "Open Source" Information

Grigory Skvortsov

Grigory Skvortsov, a Russian photographer known for his urban exploration and industrial photography, has been sentenced to 16 years in a maximum-security prison camp on treason charges. The Perm regional court delivered the verdict on Thursday, June 26, finding him guilty of passing "non-secret" information about Soviet-era bunkers to a U.S. journalist. Skvortsov, who was arrested in late 2023, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, stating that the information he shared was already publicly available.

A Photographer's Pursuit of the Past Leads to Prison

Skvortsov specializes in capturing industrial sites, often engaging in "roofing"—an unofficial term for climbing tall buildings and industrial facilities for photography. He's also the founder of "Jagath," a group recognized for its unique performances in unusual locations like mines, unfinished structures, and factory workshops. Prior to his arrest, Skvortsov had openly expressed his opposition to the war in Ukraine in a 2022 interview with the German publication "Sonic Seducer."

The core of the prosecution's case rests on the accusation that Skvortsov provided an American journalist with details about Soviet bunkers. However, Skvortsov has consistently maintained his innocence, asserting that the information he shared was either accessible online or purchased from Dmitry Yurkov, the author of "Soviet Secret Bunkers: Urban Special Fortifications of the 1930s–1960s." In a December 2024 interview with Perviy Otdel—a group of exiled Russian lawyers designated as a "foreign agent" by Russian authorities—Skvortsov stated that the archival documents he provided were already declassified. He admitted to sending these materials to his journalist acquaintance in the U.S., explaining he simply "wanted to share it with the public." He believes the charges are a desperate attempt by special services to cover up their own failures by retroactively labeling open information as "secret."

A Verdict Behind Closed Doors Amidst Expanding "State Secrets"

The Perm court, which held Skvortsov's trial behind closed doors, stated that his treason had been "fully proven." A photograph released by the court showed a calm Skvortsov in a glass courtroom cage as the verdict was read. His support group, speaking on Telegram after the ruling, lamented that "a miracle had not happened," underscoring the severity of the decision.

This harsh sentence comes amidst a significant expansion of what constitutes a state secret in Russia, particularly since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Russian authorities have increasingly jailed academics, scientists, and journalists under this broadened definition, leading to concerns about freedom of information and expression within the country.

Hope for Appeal and Exchange

Skvortsov's support group has announced that they will appeal the verdict. Furthermore, activists are actively working to include Skvortsov in prisoner exchange lists between Russia and the West, which they believe is his only remaining hope for release.