Friday, June 26, 2026-Russian opposition politician Maxim Kruglov has been sentenced to seven years in prison after a Moscow court found him guilty of spreading what authorities described as "false information" about the Russian military through social media posts.
The deputy leader of the liberal Yabloko party was convicted over two Telegram posts published in 2022 that referenced civilian deaths during the war in Ukraine. Kruglov denied the charges, insisting the case is politically motivated and aimed at silencing dissent.
The ruling has intensified international concern over Russia's continued crackdown on opposition voices and critics of the war.
Human rights organizations and opposition figures argue that the country's laws against so-called "fake information" are increasingly being used to prosecute individuals who express views that differ from the government's official narrative. Kruglov told the court the verdict effectively criminalizes peaceful disagreement and freedom of expression.
The sentence comes just months before Russia's parliamentary elections, adding fresh scrutiny to the political climate facing opposition parties.
While the Kremlin maintains the laws are necessary to protect national security during wartime, critics say the conviction reflects shrinking space for public debate and political opposition. The case is expected to draw continued international attention as concerns over civil liberties in Russia remain in focus.
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