Siberian Court Sentences Buryat Anti-War Activist To Seven Years In Prison In Absentia

A court in Russia's Siberian region of Buryatia on November 10 sentenced Aleksandra Garmazhapova, the founder of A Free Buryatia foundation, to seven years in prison in absentia on a charge of distributing "fake news" about Russian armed forces involved in Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Garmazhapova’s foundation has openly condemned the invasion and assists in the return of men mobilized to the war from their native Siberian region of Buryatia. The group also promotes wide autonomy for Buryatia and Russia's other ethnic regions. Russian authorities labeled Garmazhapova a "foreign agent" last fall. She is currently living outside of Russia. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Russian Service, click here.