LONDON, Aug 17 (Reuters) – A senior member of Russia’s liberal Yabloko party was sentenced on Monday to 11 years and one month in a penal colony, independent news outlet Mediazona said, for criticising the war in Ukraine which he described at his trial as a catastrophe for Russia.
Lev Shlosberg, the party’s deputy chairman, was accused of discrediting Russia’s armed forces and spreading false information about them.
In a closing speech to the court in the city of Pskov last Friday, he maintained his innocence, said he was the victim of a political trial and repeated his call for a ceasefire in the war.
The verdict follows an August 10 decision by Russia’s Supreme Court to ban Yabloko from taking part in a parliamentary election next month.
(Reporting by Reuters, writing by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
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