Pskov court sentences Yabloko deputy Lev Shlosberg to 11 years
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A court in Pskov has sentenced Lev Shlosberg, deputy head of the liberal Yabloko party, to 11 years and one month in a penal colony for discrediting Russia's armed forces and spreading false information about them. Shlosberg rejected all charges and Yabloko said it would appeal; minutes later the Supreme Court rejected the party's appeal against its ban from the September parliamentary elections.
Key Facts
- The Pskov court sentenced Lev Shlosberg to 11 years and one month in a penal colony on charges of discrediting the armed forces and spreading false information about them.
- The prosecution had requested 12 years and one month; Shlosberg rejected all charges and Yabloko said it would appeal.
- Minutes after the verdict, Russia's Supreme Court rejected Yabloko's appeal against its ban from the 18-20 September parliamentary elections.
- Yabloko was struck off the ballots earlier in August over accusations it supports the 'international LGBT movement', designated extremist by the Supreme Court.
- All 10 other parties contesting the election support Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The Verdict
The Pskov court delivered its verdict on Monday, finding Shlosberg guilty of "public actions aimed at discrediting the use of the armed forces of the Russian Federation". The prosecution had demanded 12 years and one month in jail, while the court imposed 11 years and one month. Shlosberg, 63, called the verdict an attempt to "punish a person for his political, public and civil position", according to a transcript published by Novaya Gazeta. In his closing speech he repeated a call for a ceasefire and the start of "political dialogue", and was repeatedly interrupted by the presiding judge.
Yabloko Election Ban
Russia's Supreme Court rejected Yabloko's appeal against a ban on participating in the 18-20 September parliamentary elections minutes after the Pskov verdict. The party was struck off the ballots earlier in August over accusations it publicly supports the "international LGBT movement", designated extremist by the Supreme Court. A lawsuit from pro-Kremlin nationalist party Rodina also alleged copyright infringement; Yabloko rejects all accusations. All 10 other parties taking part in the election support Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The ruling United Russia party's latest rating slipped to 32.1% in August, the lowest since May, according to state pollster VCIOM.
Dissent Crackdown
Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, any remaining opposition to President Vladimir Putin has been crushed. Public shows of dissent have been suppressed by wartime censorship laws and can trigger hefty fines or long prison sentences. Independent election watchdogs have been deprived of much of their ability to monitor and challenge the process.
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Pskov court sentences Yabloko deputy Lev Shlosberg to 11 years
