Russian law enforcement authorities on Friday announced criminal charges against Lev Shlosberg, one of the few remaining politicians in the country openly opposed to Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Shlosberg, 61, used to head the Pskov regional branch of the systemic opposition party Yabloko and has consistently criticized the Ukraine war, calling it a “tragedy” in social media posts and YouTube videos.
While investigators opened a criminal case against him in October for allegedly violating Russia's restrictive "foreign agent" law, formal charges were filed only on Friday.
Under the "foreign agent" law, individuals labeled as such must include a lengthy disclaimer on all public statements, including social media posts. Authorities accuse Shlosberg of failing to comply with this requirement, an allegation he denies.
Shlosberg said Friday that he has been barred from leaving his home region of Pskov in western Russia while the criminal case proceeds.
A former lawmaker in Pskov's regional parliament, Shlosberg faces up to two years in prison if convicted of the new charges. He has previously been fined multiple times for "discrediting" the Russian military and has expressed support for political prisoners inside Russia.
Despite his opposition to the Kremlin and the war, Shlosberg has faced criticism from other Russian opposition figures for his cautious approach to the conflict. He has condemned Ukrainian counteroffensives and criticized opposition members who have endorsed or justified Kyiv's attacks on Russian border regions including Kursk.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
