NEWS FEED
Trump calls war reporting ‘treason’
n March 2026, US President Donald Trump suggested that news organisations could be charged with treason for reporting he deems harmful to American interests — specifically critical coverage of the war in Iran. The chair of the Federal Communications Commission threatened media companies with the loss of their broadcast licences. The case illustrates how treason rhetoric functions as a tool for delegitimising independent journalism and silencing political opposition. (Guardian, 18 March 2026)
»Ein toxisches Erbe«: The return of treason language in German politics
In a feature for SPIEGEL Geschichte, André Krischer traces the resurgence of the term “Volksverräter” in German political discourse since 2015. Drawing on data from the Wiso-net newspaper database, the article documents how the word moved from the margins of far-right extremism into mainstream media coverage, and situates this development within the longer history of treason as a political weapon — from Roman law through the Judas tradition to the terror jurisprudence of the Nazi Volksgerichtshof. (SPIEGEL Geschichte, Nr. 1/2026)
Hungary: Treason charges invoked on both sides of the political divide
When the Washington Post reported that Hungary’s foreign minister Péter Szijjártó had routinely shared confidential EU meeting details with his Russian counterpart, opposition leader Péter Magyar called for a treason investigation. The case points to an ambivalence in the contemporary politics of treason: the term is no longer the exclusive property of right-wing populists. Democratic actors, too, reach for it — arguably because the conduct in question (leaking allied intelligence to an adversary state) falls squarely within what treason law was designed to address. The boundary between populist weaponisation and legitimate legal categorisation remains contested. (Guardian, 23 March 2026)
At least 240 charged with treason after Tanzania election violence
At least 240 people in Tanzania have been charged with treason in connection to violent protests following a disputed election. The government alleges they tried to obstruct the vote and intimidate authorities through coordinated action.
Humphrey Mgonja | 7 November 2025 | BBC News
‘We didn’t see it as treason’: The Russian couple who became informants for Ukraine
A Russian couple, Sergei and Tatyana Voronkov, moved to Ukraine after criticizing Putin — and when war broke out, they began secretly sending Kyiv coordinates of Russian military hardware, because to them it wasn’t treason but a moral fight.
Ilya Barabanov and Anastasia Lotareva | 26 May 2025 | BBC News
Romanian Accused of Spying for Russia Convicted of Treason
Reversing his decision to defer to the ruling party, Yoon implied that the main opposition Democratic Party was the “anti-state forces” he referred to in his declaration of martial law.
17 December 2024 | Romania Journal
In Defiant Address, Yoon Denies Treason Charges, Vows to Fight on
Reversing his decision to defer to the ruling party, Yoon implied that the main opposition Democratic Party was the “anti-state forces” he referred to in his declaration of martial law.
Mitch Shin | 12 December 2024 | The Diplomat
South Korea prosecutors name president Yoon Suk Yeol as suspect in treason investigation
Yoon’s defence minister, who is accused of suggesting the idea of imposing martial law to him, has been arrested.
Shahana Yasmin | 8 December 2024 | The Independent
South Korean president faces life in prison or death penalty if found guilty of treason
South Korea’s opposition has initiated impeachment proceedings against President Yoon Suk-yeol over his martial law declaration. If impeached, he could face trial for high treason.
Sertac Aktan | 5 December 2024 | Euro News
Nach 50 Euro Spende an ukrainische Armee: Russe zu 13 Jahren Haft verurteilt
Im Krieg gegen die Ukraine geht die russische Führung auch im eigenen Land hart gegen mutmaßliche Feinde vor. Nun wurde ein russischer Staatsbürger aufgrund einer geringfügigen Spende wegen Hochverrats verurteilt.
6 November 2024 | Frankfurter Allgemeine
‘This is treason’: Chinese agents are running Canada
Election meddling and politicians handled by foreign intelligence agencies
Daniel Dorman | 31 October 2024 | The Telegraph
Sentencing of Alexander Shiplyuk is latest prison term for scientists working on military programmes
3 September 2024 | The Guardian
Georgia’s PM accuses president of treason for opposing ‘foreign agents’ law
Legislation forcing Western-financed NGOs to register with government has been denounced as Kremlin-inspired authoritarianism
James Kilner | 26 May 2024 | The Telegraph