Siberian Court Sentences Journalist Sergei Mikhailov

Sergei Mikhailov, the publisher of the independent newspaper Listok in Russia's Altai Republic, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for 'spreading false information' about the Russian military, specifically relating to reports on civilian casualties in Ukraine. His conviction comes under a repressive law enacted following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which criminalizes criticism of the military. Mikhailov was arrested in April 2022 after publishing articles about the Bucha massacre and other war crimes, and has consistently denied the charges, arguing that his work aimed to expose the truth and counter state propaganda. The court also imposed a four-year ban on his journalistic activities. This case is part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Russia, with over 1,000 individuals prosecuted for anti-war views since February 2022. Mikhailov's situation highlights the severe restrictions on press freedom and political expression in the country during the ongoing conflict.