A well-known Russian scientist with ties to the nation’s hypersonic missile program is facing treason charges in a trial that is being conducted in complete secrecy and amid worries for the defendant’s ailing health.

The first case involving three hypersonic missile experts who worked at an institute in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk and are currently facing what the Kremlin has described as “very serious accusations” began on Thursday in St. Petersburg.

According to the source, Maslov “does not consider himself a traitor” and upholds his innocence. He thinks he’s always done everything right.

Maslov was taken to the former KGB interrogation facility Lefortovo jail in Moscow shortly after his detention before being moved to St. Petersburg to face charges.
Maslov, 76, had two heart attacks and spent time in the hospital after his arrest in Novosibirsk in June, a person close to him told the Reuters news agency.

The insider added: “He’s holding on, but of course, his condition isn’t very good.” Doctors in the pre-trial detention facility reportedly haven’t allowed Maslov access to all of the drugs that his regular doctor had ordered. The claim that medication was refused could not be independently verified by Reuters.

Maslov worked as a professor and researcher at the prestigious Khristianovich Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics in Russia.

The letter is translated as saying, “We know each of them as a patriot and a decent person who is not capable of doing what the investigating authorities suspect them of.

We worry about more than just our coworkers’ well-being in this predicament. The signatories of the letter continued, “We just do not know how to go on doing our work,” citing their concern over treason charges being leveled against them for carrying out their scientific duties.

“What we are praised for today and use as a model for others, tomorrow justifies a criminal investigation.