440 Hours of Community Service Requested for Opposition Politician Amidst Legal Turmoil

A prosecutor in Russia has requested that opposition politician Lev Shlosberg serve 440 hours of mandatory community service due to allegations that he did not adhere to «foreign agent» legislation, according to a statement from the Yabloko party on Friday.

In June 2023, Russia’s Ministry of Justice designated Shlosberg, a prominent figure in Yabloko who has remained in the country despite his opposition to the war in Ukraine, as a «foreign agent.» The charges assert that he failed to label online materials he published as those belonging to a «foreign agent.»

The Yabloko branch in Pskov reported that during the 16th court session, the judge dismissed the defense’s request to postpone the hearing in order to examine new evidence. However, she did grant a brief recess until later in the day.

Independent news outlet Sotavision noted that Shlosberg accused the prosecution of overlooking contradictions in the investigation during the court proceedings.

Additionally, the court reportedly turned down a defense request to send the case back to the prosecutors.

Shlosberg is currently under house arrest related to a second criminal investigation concerning allegations of «discrediting» the Russian military.

If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison. Authorities charge that he called for a ceasefire in Ukraine during a debate in January, with the video of his remarks circulating on Russian social media.

Yabloko is one of the few remaining legal opposition parties in Russia. It has consistently opposed the war in Ukraine and advocated for a ceasefire, though it has encountered diminishing visibility and increased pressure due to wartime censorship laws.