WASHINGTON — The United States has sharply condemned Russia’s conviction and sentencing of Robert Shonov, a former employee of the U.S. Mission in Russia, calling the charges “entirely without merit” and his prosecution “an egregious injustice.”
In a statement issued by the Office of the Spokesperson on November 2, a representative voiced strong opposition to the Kremlin’s actions, stating, “The allegations against Mr. Shonov are baseless. His targeting under the ‘confidential cooperation’ statute exemplifies the Russian government’s alarming trend of using increasingly repressive laws against its own citizens.”
The statement underscored that Shonov’s conviction reflects an ongoing crackdown on those associated with Western entities, with officials describing the move as a clear violation of individual rights and international norms.
The U.S. urged Russian authorities to release Shonov and respect the rights of individuals in Russia, stressing that the conviction adds to a growing list of actions that “demonstrate Moscow’s disregard for the rule of law.”
Shonov’s sentencing has attracted widespread criticism from human rights advocates, who have accused the Kremlin of weaponizing vague statutes to stifle dissent and curtail freedoms within Russia.
