Amnesty International has highlighted the recent conviction of Russian anti-war politician, journalist and human-rights activist Lev Sholsberg. On 17 August 2026, the Pskov City Court sentenced Shlosberg to over 11 years in a penal colony for spreading false information and discrediting the Russian Armed Forces.
Shlosberg is the deputy chair of the Yabloko Party. Amnesty described Yabloko as:
the only registered Russian political party which has consistently opposed Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and campaigned for a ceasefire.
Sholsberg — ‘I am the Russian Federation’
In particular, the Pskov City Court sentenced Shlosberg under Article 280.3(1) of the Russian Criminal Code for “repeated discreditation” of Russia’s armed forces, and Article 207.3(2)(d) for “dissemination of deliberately false information” regarding the armed forces.
Shlosberg previously participated in an online debate centering on Russia’s war on Ukraine. He then shared a publication that included a Daily Mirror front page via social media. That front page depicted both a Ukrainian woman covered in blood, along with an image of Russian president Vladimir Putin.
In the trial itself, Shlosberg stated that Russia is persecuting “thousands and thousands” of people for their “peaceful, non-violent, and humanistic beliefs”. He went on to say:
In reality, in this courtroom I am the Russian Federation, which has been put in a cage and which they want to force into silence.
The anti-war politician rejected all of the charges against him. Whilst the prosecution demanded a sentence of 12 years, the court sentenced Shlosberg to 11 years and one month in a penal colony.
‘Blatant reprisals’
However, it’s not just Sholsberg that the Russian state is targeting — they’re going after his opposition party, too. On 10 August 2026, the Russian Supreme Court barred Yabloko from running in the next State Duma election.
Whilst the party tried to appeal the decision in court on 17 August, Russian law enforcement arrested over 30 supporters outside the Moscow courthouse.
Amnesty International’s director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Marie Struthers, said:
For nothing more than taking part in an anti-war debate and sharing a social media post, Lev Shlosberg faces more than 11 years behind bars. His arbitrary prosecution and sentencing are blatant reprisals for exercising his right to freedom of expression to call for peace.
The Yabloko party’s disqualification from running in the September State Duma election is further proof that political pluralism and anti-war expression have no place in Russia today.
The Russian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Lev Shlosberg and quash his conviction. They must repeal legislation criminalizing peaceful anti-war expression, end the persecution of Yabloko members and supporters, and respect the rights to freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly and political participation for all Russians.
Featured image via the Canary
By Grace
