A military court in Russia on June 27 sentenced a former Justice Ministry official who openly condemned Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine to 14 years in prison in absentia. The court also ordered Maria Mamedova to pay a fine of 600,000 rubles ($6,850). She was found guilty of "facilitating terrorism." It is not clear what the charge stemmed from. Russian officials earlier issued arrest warrants for Mamedova and her husband, Denis Mamedov, on charges of distributing false information about the Russian military. Mamedov was later sentenced to 8 1/2 years in prison in absentia. The couple currently resides in the United States. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Russian Service, click here.
Former Russian Justice Official Gets Lengthy Prison Term In Absentia Over Anti-War Stance
The building of the Russian Justice Ministry in Moscow (file photo)