Russian court sentences opposition figure to 11 years in prison

Russian opposition leader Lev Shlosberg has been given an 11-year prison sentence for criticizing the war in Ukraine, as reported by the Yabloko political party on August 17. The Supreme Court of Russia subsequently prohibited the party from taking part in the upcoming parliamentary elections set for September, according to a ruling released on August 10.

Yabloko is the sole Russian political entity that opposes Russia's military involvement in Ukraine. Shlosberg, who previously functioned as the party's chairman in Pskov Oblast, was charged with repeatedly damaging Russia's military and spreading false information about the Russian armed forces, both of which are considered criminal offenses under Russian law.

The court found him guilty of discrediting Russia's military following a recorded debate with historian Yuri Pivovarov, during which Shlosberg supported a ceasefire in the conflict, according to the party's press service in Pskov Oblast. The defendants were also found guilty of disseminating false information about the Russian military for reposting a February 2022 Daily Mirror cover featuring an injured Ukrainian woman in blood and the Russian President with the caption "her blood... his hands," despite the fact that the post was made before the criminalization of such content in Russian law.

The opposition group condemned the court proceedings as unfair and declared their intention to appeal the decision.