Mirzabeg Murtazaliev, a 24-year-old system administrator from the Dagestani village of Botlikh, is under investigation under a new article of the Russian Criminal Code on confidential cooperation with foreigners. His case has been referred to the Supreme Court of Dagestan.
Murtazaliev, who posted job ads as a system administrator on professional platforms more than a year ago, faces up to eight years in prison. Article 275.1 of the Russian Criminal Code, which came into force in July 2022, penalizes "confidential cooperation" with foreigners if it is aimed at "assisting them in activities knowingly directed against the security" of the Russian Federation.
The human rights project "Support for Political Prisoners. Memorial" considers those convicted under this article to be political prisoners, deeming the article unconstitutional. According to human rights activists, this norm could serve as a substitute for charges of treason, especially when there is no direct evidence of guilt.
