MOSCOW: Russian nationalist Igor Girkin, a vocal critic of President Vladimir Putin’s handling of the Ukraine war, was sentenced to four years in jail by a Moscow court on Thursday for inciting extremism.
Girkin, also known as Igor Strelkov, had publicly considered running against Putin in the upcoming presidential election, claiming he could manage the conflict more effectively. In the courtroom, Girkin, 53, nodded and rolled his eyes as the judge delivered the verdict and announced the Internet ban for three years.
The nationalist’s case is closely monitored as it gauges the Kremlin’s tolerance for dissent regarding its Ukraine military actions, referred to as a “special military operation.”
Girkin’s conviction and sentencing are seen by some, including former Kremlin adviser Sergei Markov, as a lesson against brazenly insulting the leadership during challenging times.
Girkin, detained since July, established the “Club of Angry Patriots” to address what he perceived as systemic turmoil resulting from military failures in Ukraine and power struggles among the elite to succeed Putin. Despite the verdict, Girkin’s legal team plans to appeal the decision.
