Russian anti‑war politician Lev Schlosberg sentenced to 11 years for army discreditation

Lev Schlosberg, a well‑known Russian opposition activist who has spoken out against the war in Ukraine, was handed an 11‑year prison term after a Moscow court found him guilty of “discrediting” the Russian armed forces. The ruling, delivered on Thursday, marks one of the longest sentences imposed under Russia’s wartime censorship legislation, which criminalises the spread of information deemed to undermine the military.

Schlosberg, who has previously served as a regional legislator in the Far East, denounced the judgment as a direct retaliation for his political stance. In a brief statement, he said the verdict was “punishment for my political position,” adding that the case illustrates the broader effort to silence dissenting voices.

The conviction rests on a provision introduced in 2022 that makes it a criminal offence to “discredit” the armed forces. Prosecutors argued that Schlosberg’s public comments and social‑media posts about the conflict violated the law. Defence lawyers, however, contended that the evidence was thin and that the charge was being used as a tool to suppress opposition.

Human‑rights organisations and several Western governments have condemned the sentence, describing it as part of an escalating pattern of repression. They note that similar charges have been brought against journalists, activists and ordinary citizens who question the official narrative of the war.

The case arrives at a time when Russia has intensified its legal pressure on critics, expanding the scope of the “discreditation” law and increasing penalties for perceived infractions. Observers warn that such measures further erode space for independent commentary and could deter others from speaking out.

Original reporting: BBC News.