Putin's rival sentenced to 11 years in prison after shouting: "Wait until it's revealed how many soldiers died"
A Russian court sentenced Lev Shlosberg, deputy chairman of the Yabloko party, to 11 years in prison for discrediting the army and spreading false information. In his closing remarks, he warned that the full death toll would be published and the nation would be shocked. Estimates suggest more than 350,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in the war.
A Russian court sentenced Lev Shlosberg, the 63-year-old deputy chairman of the liberal Yabloko party, to 11 years and one month in a penal colony on Monday evening, after he dared to condemn the war in Ukraine and describe it as a catastrophe. Shlosberg was prosecuted for discrediting the armed forces and spreading false information. In his closing remarks, he maintained his innocence, said he was a victim of a political trial, and reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire. He warned: "Sooner or later, the exact and full death toll, including the names, will be published, and the entire nation will be shocked." His conviction came after the Supreme Court banned Yabloko from participating in next month's parliamentary elections. Yabloko is the only party calling for an end to the war. Mediazona and the BBC have documented at least 239,354 Russian soldiers killed, and estimate the real number is more than 350,000. His trial is part of a series of trials aimed at silencing the opposition. Shlosberg was first arrested in June last year.