MOSCOW, December 21 (RAPSI) – Sixteen individuals have been convicted and sentenced in Russia for treason and espionage in 2016, RIA Novosti reported Wednesday, citing the Judicial Department at the Supreme Court.

Thirteen persons were convicted of treason; three other individuals were condemned for spying. Only one of convicts has pleaded guilty. Courts have not delivered acquitting judgements in such cases, according to the court’s Judicial Department.

Nine people were held liable for divulging state secrets in 2016. Eight persons were pardoned while one received a suspended sentence.

In total, 261 individuals were condemned in Russia for crimes against constitutional order and internal security of the State; 45 of them were sentenced to real prison terms, 60 of them received suspended sentences. Courts also imposed alternative punishment in such cases including community service.

People sentenced to prison received terms varying from 2 to up to and beyond 15 years.