A Russian-Canadian man named Nikolai Fedorovich Ziouzev, 70, was sentenced to seven years in prison in Russia for "high treason," according to the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) on Wednesday, September 16. The FSB stated that Ziouzev was found guilty of attempting to undermine Russia's national security, starting in February 2022, when Russia launched a large-scale military operation in Ukraine. The investigation took place in the Komi Republic, a region in northern Russia, and the sentence was issued by the republic's supreme court. Ziouzev is accused of planning to train individuals abroad who could incite separatist movements among indigenous groups in Russia. He is also alleged to have distributed "extremist" documents and collected information for the European Union's public institutions and analysis centers. According to the FSB, Ziouzev received over two million euros from 12 foreign organizations based in Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Sweden. These organizations are described as specializing in foreign policy, international cooperation, or human rights. Ziouzev is a researcher and philosophy professor who has been identified by the Memorial website, a prominent Russian human rights organization, as the individual in question. Since Russia's military operation in Ukraine began, numerous citizens have been sentenced to long prison terms for charges such as "treason," "sabotage," or "espionage." Some foreign nationals have also been imprisoned in Russia, accused of acting as mercenaries for Ukraine. According to Memorial, more than 1,800 individuals are currently held in Russian prisons on politically motivated charges. These prisoners are often accused of activities that challenge the government's narrative or are perceived as threats to national security, even if they involve peaceful advocacy or academic work. The case of Ziouzev highlights the broader context of increased political repression in Russia, particularly since the start of the war in Ukraine.