Yashin was on trial for a YouTube video in which he cast doubt on Moscow’s official version that such reports were fabricated as a “provocation” to Russia
Russian Ilya Yashin, opposition politician, was sentenced today to eight and a half years in prison for spreading “false information” about the military.
Yashin, 39, was on trial for a YouTube video released in April in which he discusses evidence uncovered by Western journalists about Russian war crimes in Bucha, near Kyiv, and casts doubt on Moscow’s official version that such reports have been fabricated as ‘challenge’ to Russia.
Russia voted new law after the February 24 invasion of Ukraine for prison terms of up to 15 years for spreading false information about the military. Since the beginning of the conflict, Russia has tried to suppress almost all forms of dissent, with most of the prominent opposition figures either in prison or in exile.
In a Telegram post, Yashin called on his supporters to continue opposing the war in Ukraine.
“With this hysterical verdict, the authorities want to intimidate us all, but in reality this only shows their weakness. Strong leaders are calm and confident. Only the weak try to shut everyone’s mouths and ‘burn’ any kind of dissent,” he wrote.
“We have no reason to be sorry – you and I have won this trial, my friends…”
“We spoke the truth about war crimes and demanded an end to the bloodshed…Today, I can simply repeat what I said on the day of my arrest: I am not afraid and you should not be. Changes are very close.”
The imprisoned leader of the oppositionAlexei Navalny he criticized the verdict as “shameless and illegal” in a post on his Twitter account, which is run by his group in exile.
“Ilya Yassin, we are all proud of you. Russia will be free, and so will you,” Navalny wrote.
In his closing statement to the court this week, Yashin appealed directly to President Vladimir Putin, calling him “the person responsible for this carnage” and asking him to “stop this madness”.
“Looking at the consequences of this monstrous war, you yourself probably realize what a grave mistake you committed on February 24. Our army is not received with flowers. We are characterized as punishers and conquerors. The words ‘death’ and ‘destruction’ are now closely associated with your name,” he declared.
“You have brought terrible misfortune to the Ukrainian people, who may never forgive us.”
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