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)