The Russian judiciary sentenced activist Oleg Orlov to two and a half years in prison for criticizing the invasion of Ukraine

The Russian judiciary ruled on Tuesday Two years and six months in prison on charges of defaming the army To the veteran activist Oleg OrlovLeader MemorialIt is a human rights organization that won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022.

“The court determined Orlov's guilt and sentenced him to two years and six months in prison (…) in the case Public order prison colony” – said the judge in court.

Oleg Orlov, 70, was convicted of repeatedly “defaming” the Russian military in an article he wrote denouncing the invasion of Ukraine. He dismissed the case against him as politically motivated.

On Monday, the prosecution demanded that he be sentenced to two years and 11 months in prison.

The ruling concluded a new trial after Orlov had previously been ordered to pay a fine. Which highlights how little President Vladimir Putin's government has tolerated criticism of its invasion of Ukraine.The prosecution appealed the fine, demanding a more severe punishment.

Prosecutors alleged that Orlov, co-chair of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning human rights group Memorial, published the article motivated by Hostility “against traditional Russian spiritual, moral and patriotic values” And hatred towards the Russian army, according to independent Russian media Central Region. He said Tuesday.

While the judge was reading the ruling, the white-haired, bespectacled activist winked at his wife, fellow activist Tatiana.

He was detained in the courtroom and Tatiana was asked to attend.

“Tanya, you promised me!” He told her as if she was crying.

About 200 of his supporters waited in the hallway outside the courtroom to bid him farewell.

Orlov recently announced to France Press agency In an interview he said he had no illusions about the outcome of the operation.

Orlov was accused of defaming the Russian military in a column he wrote for the French online publication mediapartHe was fined in October after the first trial.

The fine was a relatively light sentence and prosecutors requested a new trial.

Even as other activists fled increasing repression, Orlov remained in Russia, where he said he was “more useful” than abroad.

And he said to France Press agency His career is dedicated to the historical memory of Soviet crimes and rights violations in modern Russia, especially in the north of the country CaucasusIt left him no choice but to launch a campaign against the Ukrainian offensive.

Memorial has established itself as a mainstay of Russian civil society by preserving the memory of victims of communist oppression and campaigning against rights violations.

The organization was officially dissolved by Russian authorities in late 2021, and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022 along with a prominent Ukrainian human rights group and a veteran Belarusian activist.

(With information from AFP and Associated Press)