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

The Supreme Court of Komi Republic in Russia has handed down a seven-year prison sentence to Nikolai Zyuzev, a man who holds both Russian and Canadian citizenship. Zyuzev was found guilty of preparing a "project against Russia's sovereignty and territorial integrity" using foreign grants, according to the Federal Security Service (FSB).

The project, which began in February 2022, aimed to train leaders of national liberation movements for Russia's indigenous peoples and involved receiving a total of $2 million from 12 foreign organizations, some of which were considered "undesirable." Zyuzev admitted guilt and exposed those involved in the project. He holds a doctorate in philosophy and taught at various educational institutions in Komi before moving to Canada in 2008 to earn a law degree and teach.

He returned to Syktyvkar in 2015 and resumed teaching. After the full-scale war began, Zyuzev left Russia but continued to visit Komi. He has been in custody since June 2026. Initially, the criminal case against Zyuzev was opened on charges of "confidential cooperation with a foreign state or an international or foreign organization" (Article 275.1 of Russia's Criminal Code). However, the verdict now cites the charge of "treason" (Article 275 of Russia's Criminal Code).