Russia: Opposition figure Lev Shlosberg sentenced to 11 years in prison

Russian opposition politician Lev Shlosberg has been sentenced to 11 years and one month in a penal colony by a court in a controversial trial. Shlosberg, the deputy head of the liberal opposition party Yabloko, was found guilty of discrediting the Russian armed forces, among other charges.

The sentence is slightly less than the 12 years and one month sought by prosecutors. The 63-year-old politician intends to appeal the verdict, according to his party. Shlosberg and Yabloko have advocated for an immediate ceasefire in Russia's war against Ukraine.

Shlosberg had previously been under house arrest and was sentenced to 420 hours of community service last November for allegedly failing to comply with "foreign agent" requirements. He was taken into pre-trial detention in December. The current trial is widely criticized as a show trial.

Yabloko itself faces scrutiny from Russian authorities. The party was initially admitted to the upcoming parliamentary elections but was later excluded by the Supreme Court, citing alleged copyright infringements. Russian financial regulators also accused the party of receiving election donations from Germany and the United States.