Russia puts Lev Shlosberg, one of the few opposition politicians left in the country, under house arrest for ‘discrediting’ military

A court in the Russian city of Pskov has placed politician Lev Shlosberg under house arrest for two months in connection with criminal charges of repeatedly “discrediting” the Russian army, according to the outlet Sotavision.

Shlosberg, the deputy chairman of the Yabloko political party, is one of the last remaining opposition politicians in Russia. His hearing was held behind closed doors.

On Tuesday morning, police searched Shlosberg’s apartment as well as the home of his 96-year-old father, Mark Shlosberg. The politician was detained afterward and spent the night in a temporary detention facility.

The criminal case stems from a video posted online of a debate on the war in Ukraine between Shlosberg and historian Yuri Pivovarov. According to Yabloko, Shlosberg argued during the debate that Russia and Ukraine should agree to a ceasefire as soon as possible.

State investigators allege that by posting the video, Shlosberg committed “public actions aimed at discrediting the use of the Russian Armed Forces.” Shlosberg denies uploading the video or managing the social media account that posted it.