Leonid Gozman, a former Ukrainian politician exiled in Russia, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison in absent, following charges of allegedly justifying terrorism. The Russian authorities claim that the charges stem from an interview he gave to a foreign media outlet in 2023, which they believe contains statements that could be interpreted as supporting terrorist activities. The investigation into Gozman’s actions began after the Russian authorities received information about the interview and decided to pursue the case.
Gozman, who was a member of the opposition party in Ukraine, had previously been involved in political activities that were critical of the Ukrainian government. His exile in Russia is seen as a result of his opposition stance and alleged involvement in political dissent. However, the charges against him are not related to any direct involvement in terrorist activities, but rather to the interpretation of his statements in the interview.
Legal experts have pointed out that the charges are likely based on the Russian government’s interpretation of the interview, which may not necessarily reflect Gozman’s intent. The case has raised concerns about the use of legal proceedings to silence political dissent and the potential for misuse of the law to target individuals who are critical of the government.