Russian Court Sentences Journalist to 12 Years in Prison for Spreading False Information About the Army

A Russian court today, Tuesday, sentenced former journalist and volunteer Olga Komleva to 12 years in prison. She was previously active in the team of the late opposition figure Alexei Navalny, which has been banned in Russia since 2021 on charges of extremism.

Komleva, 46, had previously volunteered in Navalny's party activities before Russian authorities banned the party and affiliated organizations, prohibiting any cooperation with them.

Independent media outlet "Mediazona" reported that the sentence was based on Komleva's coverage of the Russian attack on Ukraine and her documentation of anti-government protests for the "Ross News" platform. She was accused of spreading "false information" about the Russian army and participating in "extremist group activities."

The criminal court in the city of Ufa in central Russia stated that the journalist was convicted of two charges: belonging to a banned group and promoting false narratives about the performance of Russian forces. The court confirmed a 12-year prison sentence, while Komleva denied the charges against her.

Ross News" published a video showing Komleva smiling and waving from inside the defendant's glass cage during the sentencing hearing, saying to those present, "I love you all."

Mediazona" mentioned that Komleva suffers from diabetes and faced difficulties in obtaining treatment during her detention.

Alexei Navalny, previously labeled "extremist" by Russian authorities, died in a prison in the Arctic Circle on February 16, 2024. Moscow had launched a systematic crackdown against his supporters and affiliated organizations before its attack on Ukraine in 2022.