Russian Doctor Sentenced Amid Controversial Anti-War Prosecution

A Russian court sentenced Moscow paediatrician Nadezhda Buyanova to 5-1/2 years in a penal colony for allegedly spreading false information about the Russian military. The conviction follows a video complaint by a mother and is part of a broader trend of prosecutions for anti-war sentiments in Russia.

A Moscow pediatrician, Nadezhda Buyanova, has been sentenced to 5-1/2 years in a penal colony, as conveyed by Russian media. The sentence follows a video complaint from a mother accusing her of making comments about Russian soldiers in Ukraine.

Prosecutors had initially sought a six-year term for Buyanova, accused of disseminating "fakes" about the Russian army. The allegations stem from a video recorded by a patient's mother, denouncing the 68-year-old doctor. To date, over 1,000 individuals have faced prosecution in Russia for anti-war statements, with more than 20,000 detained for demonstrating.

The conviction underscores a growing trend in Russia where individuals are denounced for alleged political crimes. OVD-Info, a rights organization, notes that 21 similar cases have been prosecuted since the Ukraine conflict began in 2022. The rights group lawyer, Eva Levenberg, reported additional administrative cases for "discrediting" the Russian military, leading to fines in several instances.

(With inputs from agencies.)