Russia sentences dual Russian-Canadian citizen professor to seven years for treason

The Supreme Court of Russia's Komi Republic has sentenced Nikolai Zyuzev, a citizen of both Russia and Canada, to seven years in prison on a treason charge. Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), as cited by state news agency TASS, alleges Zyuzev developed and, starting in February 2022, began implementing a project directed against Russia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Details of the case

According to the FSB, the project called for, among other things, training abroad leaders of national liberation movements representing Russia's small indigenous peoples. The security service says Zyuzev received a total of $2 million for the project from 12 foreign organizations, some of which are officially designated as "undesirable" in Russia. The FSB claims Zyuzev fully admitted guilt and identified other people involved.

Academic background

Zyuzev holds a doctorate in philosophy, according to the Russian Telegram channel Ostorozhno Novosti. He taught at several higher education institutions in the Komi Republic, including heading the philosophy department at Ukhta State Technical University. In 2008 he moved to Canada, where he earned a law degree and taught at a college affiliated with the University of Toronto. He returned to Syktyvkar in 2015 and resumed teaching there.

Detention and revised charge

After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, Zyuzev left the country but continued to make visits to the Komi region. He has been held in custody since June 2026. The case against him was originally opened under a charge of "confidential cooperation with a foreign state or an international or foreign organization" (Article 275.1 of Russia's Criminal Code), but the final verdict cited the more serious charge of "treason" (Article 275).