Russian Quran Burner Sentenced to 14 Years for Treason and Religious Offense

Nikita Zhuravel, a 20-year-old Russian man initially jailed in February 2024 for burning the Quran, has been handed an additional 13.5-year prison sentence on charges of treason. With this ruling, Zhuravel will now serve a total of 14 years behind bars, according to the Volgograd Regional Court. 

Zhuravel’s original conviction stemmed from an incident in Volgograd, where he was found guilty of “offending religious believers” after burning a copy of the Quran near the city’s Cathedral Mosque. His actions, which prosecutors claimed were conducted in coordination with Ukrainian intelligence to incite sectarian tensions, were met with widespread condemnation. 

Russian President Putin

President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed Russia’s stance, stating that the desecration of the Quran is “a punishable offense under Russian law, contrasting with some countries where such acts may not be legally addressed." 

Following his arrest in May 2023, Zhuravel was transferred to Chechnya for trial, a decision reportedly made after Chechen authorities requested jurisdiction, citing numerous appeals from local residents. His case took a violent turn when footage emerged of Adam Kadyrov, the 15-year-old son of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, assaulting him in pretrial detention. Despite calls for an investigation, Russian law enforcement declined to pursue the matter, and Adam Kadyrov received state honors for his actions.

Zhuravel  burned a copy of the Quran outside a mosque in Volgograd city

In his initial trial, Zhuravel confessed to burning the Quran but denied any religious hatred, stating instead that he was coerced into the act. By November 2024, however, the focus had shifted to accusations of treason. 

Prosecutors alleged that Zhuravel, “being in disagreement with the political course of Russia and its invasion of Ukraine,” had corresponded with Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU). He was accused of sharing videos of Russian military equipment and movements, including footage of a freight train carrying warplanes and the movement of a car associated with a military base. 

According to Russia’s Prosecutor General, Zhuravel “volunteered” to provide the information to Ukrainian intelligence, which was deemed an act of treason “directed against the security of the Russian Federation.” The Volgograd court convicted him in a swift trial held behind closed doors, with proceedings beginning on November 14 and concluding on November 25. Local media reported that Zhuravel pleaded guilty to the charges. 

Defendant Nikita Zhuravel appearing before the court

The human rights group Memorial has labeled Zhuravel a political prisoner, highlighting concerns over the fairness of his trial and the use of excessive charges. Zhuravel’s sentence, which includes an additional year of restricted freedom following his imprisonment, has not yet entered legal force and can still be appealed.