New Charges Against Shlosberg: Accusations of Spreading Falsehoods About the Russian Military Intensify

Authorities in the northwestern city of Pskov have brought new criminal charges against opposition figure Lev Shlosberg, alleging he disseminated “false information” regarding the Russian military, as reported by the liberal Yabloko party on Friday.

This charge is the third filed against Shlosberg this year and was revealed just three days before he was set to be released from house arrest, which he has been under since June.

Currently, Shlosberg is on trial for “discrediting” the Russian military, an offense that could result in a maximum prison term of five years. Last month, he received a sentence of 420 hours of community service for another violation of Russia’s “foreign agent” legislation.

Yabloko indicated that the latest charge, described as relating to “army fakes,” originated from a Telegram post made in February 2022. The party disclosed that Shlosberg was officially informed about the charge on Thursday.

Shlosberg has denied all allegations against him.

A judge was expected to rule on Friday regarding his status, deciding whether to extend his house arrest, place him in pretrial detention, or release him until trial.

Despite his opposition to the war, Shlosberg, a prominent member of Yabloko, has chosen to remain in Russia. The 62-year-old politician had previously faced fines on two administrative charges for “discrediting” the military.

In June 2023, the Russian Justice Ministry designated him as a “foreign agent.”

In October, a judge prohibited Shlosberg from accessing the internet or using a phone, as well as from communicating with anyone outside his household for a duration of four months.

Yabloko stands as one of the remaining legal opposition parties in Russia, consistently opposing the war in Ukraine and advocating for a ceasefire, though it has experienced diminishing visibility and increasing pressure due to wartime censorship laws.