<\/p>\n
Reacting to the sentencing of Lev Shlosberg, deputy chair of the Yabloko party \u2014 the only registered Russian political party which has consistently opposed Russia\u2019s war of aggression against Ukraine and campaigned for a ceasefire and diplomacy \u2014 to 11 years and one month in prison, Marie Struthers, Amnesty International\u2019s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Director, said:<\/p>\n
\u201cFor nothing more than taking part in an anti-war debate and sharing a social media post, Lev Shlosberg faces more than 11 years behind bars. His arbitrary prosecution and sentencing are blatant reprisals for exercising his right to freedom of expression to call for peace.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Yabloko party\u2019s disqualification from running in the September State Duma election is further proof that political pluralism and anti-war expression have no place in Russia today.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Russian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Lev Shlosberg and quash his conviction. They must repeal legislation criminalizing peaceful anti-war expression, end the persecution of Yabloko members and supporters, and respect the rights to freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly and political participation for all Russians.\u201d<\/p>\n
In his final statement in the trial, Lev Shlosberg described how \u201cthousands and thousands\u201d of individuals have been targeted in Russia for their \u201cpeaceful, non-violent, and humanistic\u201d beliefs. He concluded: \u201cIn reality, in this courtroom I am the Russian Federation, which has been put in a cage and which they want to force into silence.\u201d<\/p>\n
On 17 August, the Pskov City Court sentenced Lev Shlosberg, a veteran Russian politician, journalist and deputy chair of Yabloko party, to 11 years and one month in a penal colony. He was prosecuted under Article 280.3(1) of the Russian Criminal Code for \u201crepeated discreditation of the Russian Armed Forces,\u201d and Article 207.3(2)(d) for \u201cdissemination of deliberately false information about the Russian Armed Forces.\u201d The charges relate to his participation in an online debate about the war against Ukraine and sharing on social media of a publication featuring a Daily Mirror<\/em> front page showing Vladimir Putin and a blood-covered Ukrainian woman.<\/p>\n