▲ Lev Schlosberg
A Russian opposition politician indicted for criticizing the war in Ukraine has been sentenced to a heavy prison term.
According to foreign media reports, a Russian court sentenced Lev Schlosberg, deputy leader of the Russian opposition party Yabloko, to 11 years and 1 month in prison on charges including defamation and spreading false information on the 17th, local time.
In court, Schlosberg maintained his innocence, stating, "The war in Ukraine is a disaster for Russia."
He also stated that he was a "victim of a political trial" and urged the Russian government to implement a ceasefire.
Schlosberg's party, Yabloko, was recently barred from fielding candidates in the upcoming general election scheduled for next month following a ruling by the Russian Supreme Court on the 10th stripping the party of its electoral eligibility.
Rodina, a minor pro-government party that supports Russian President Vladimir Putin, filed a lawsuit on the 6th to disqualify Yabloko from registering general election candidates, accusing the party of supporting LGBTQ+ activities and using campaign funds exceeding legal limits.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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