The Kremlin continues its systematic dismantling of political opposition, handing down an 11-year prison sentence to Lev Shlosberg, a prominent critic of the war in Ukraine.
A court in Pskov found the 63-year-old guilty of 'discrediting' the Russian armed forces and spreading what the state labels as 'false information.' Shlosberg, the deputy head of the Yabloko party, maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, characterizing the trial as a sham designed solely to punish him for his political opposition to Vladimir Putin’s regime.
The verdict arrives as the state moves to eliminate any remaining vestiges of dissent, utilizing wartime censorship laws to silence those who speak out against the ongoing invasion.
The crackdown extends beyond individual critics; the Yabloko party itself has been barred from participating in upcoming parliamentary elections, with the Supreme Court rejecting their appeal. The regime’s efforts to consolidate power are further evidenced by the exclusion of any party that does not align with the Kremlin’s war agenda.
As independent election monitoring is effectively neutralized, the Russian state continues to consolidate total control, ensuring that only voices approved by the Kremlin remain in the public sphere.
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