Lev Shlosberg

Lev Shlosberg, a senior member of the Russian opposition party Yabloko, has been sentenced to 11 years and one month in prison. A court in Pskov found him guilty of "public actions aimed at discrediting the use of the armed forces of the Russian Federation." The charges stemmed from comments he made on social media that opposed Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This verdict represents a significant crackdown on dissent within Russia, particularly in the lead-up to upcoming parliamentary elections. Shlosberg's conviction and lengthy sentence highlight the Kremlin's efforts to silence opposition voices critical of the war. He maintained his innocence, rejecting the charges against him in his closing statement. His case underscores the risks faced by Russian politicians and activists who speak out against government policy.