A Russian court on August 21 sentenced exiled opposition politician and former parliamentary deputy Dmitry Gudkov to eight years in prison in absentia for his criticism of Russia's military offensive in Ukraine. Gudkov, who served in Russia's parliament from 2011 to 2016, was found guilty of publishing "false information" about the Russian military motivated by "political hatred," the Moscow prosecutor's office said in a statement. In response to the sentencing, Gudkov said on Telegram that his thoughts were with "the hundreds of real, and not 'in absentia' Russian political prisoners" who are waiting for a chance to be freed in a prisoner exchange or for the end of their prison terms. To read the original story on RFE/RL’s Russian service click here.
Russian Opposition Politician Dmitry Gudkov Sentenced To 8 Years In Absentia
Dmitrii Gudkov speaking in August 2022 to Current Time in Prague. (file photo)