Russia jails opposition politician for 11 years for anti-war comments
A Russian court on Monday sentenced prominent opposition politician Lev Shlosberg to 11 years in prison over his criticism of Moscow's offensive in Ukraine. The 63-year-old is among the very few Kremlin opponents who remained in Russia after it launched a sweeping crackdown on dissent following the 2022 Ukraine assault.
- World
- Reuters
- Published Date: 05:45 PM 17 August 2026
A senior member of Russia's liberal Yabloko party was sentenced on Monday to 11 years and one month in a penal colony, independent news outlet Mediazona said, for criticising the war in Ukraine which he described at his trial as a catastrophe for Russia.
Lev Shlosberg, the party's deputy chairman, was accused of discrediting Russia's armed forces and spreading false information about them.
In a closing speech to the court in the city of Pskov last Friday, he maintained his innocence, said he was the victim of a political trial and repeated his call for a ceasefire in the war.
The verdict follows an August 10 decision by Russia's Supreme Court to ban Yabloko from taking part in a parliamentary election next month.
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