Russia opens criminal proceedings against opposition politician Shlosberg

Russia has open A criminal case against opposition politician Lev Shlosberg for alleged failure to comply with restrictions on “foreign agents”.

It was Shlosberg, chairman of the Pskov regional branch of the liberal Yabloko party set as last year a “foreign agent” for opposing the war in Ukraine and spreading “false information about the decisions and policies” of the Russian government.

Russia’s Investigative Committee, which investigates serious crimes, said it had charged him with “evading the duties of a foreign agent” – a discriminatory measure that requires foreign agents to disclose their status in all materials they publish online.

The charges came after authorities searched Shlosberg’s apartment and the home of his 95-year-old father on Wednesday morning. The politician was released after police questioning.

Shlosberg, one of the few remaining anti-war voices in Russia, faces If convicted, you face a prison sentence of up to two years.

“The [police] The regulation mentioned the lack of labeling, but Lev pays attention to the requirements of the authorities and always labels all of his publications. He abides by the law,” his wife Zhanna told reporters.

“My personal opinion is that this is just another intimidation tactic,” she said of the police searches.

Hundreds of journalists, activists and civil society figures have been branded “foreign agents” in recent years amid the Kremlin’s increasing crackdown on independent media and the opposition.

Individuals branded as “foreign agents” must submit financial reports to the Justice Department and label all of their communications and public statements with a detailed disclaimer.

The Russian Justice Ministry typically updates its list of foreign agents every Friday.