Story perspectives

Lev Shlosberg Sentenced to 11 Years for Telegram Post

8/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

Lev Shlosberg was sentenced on 17 August to 11 years and a month in a colony.
He was charged under Article 280.3(1) for discrediting the military and Article 207.3(2)(d) spreading false information.
The charges stemmed from his debate and a Telegram post depicting Putin with a Ukrainian woman.
Russia’s Supreme Court barred Yabloko from September election in a 10 August ruling, which Amnesty International’s Marie Struthers called a reprisal for free expression.

History

Historical Context

Russia’s foreign-agent law, passed in July 2012, let the Ministry of Justice label any group receiving foreign money as a foreign agent; a 4 June 2014 amendment removed consent requirements. By June 2015 the register held at least 70 NGOs, and by 2020 more than 200 NGOs and Yabloko faced fines of 500,000 rubles. Lev Shlosberg’s 11-year term illustrates the law’s continued use, condemned by Amnesty International.

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Story summary

Lev Shlosberg was sentenced on 17 August to 11 years and a month in a colony.
He was charged under Article 280.3(1) for discrediting the military and Article 207.3(2)(d) spreading false information.
The charges stemmed from his debate and a Telegram post depicting Putin with a Ukrainian woman.
Russia’s Supreme Court barred Yabloko from September election in a 10 August ruling, which Amnesty International’s Marie Struthers called a reprisal for free expression.

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