Russian Human Rights Activist Imprisoned for Criticizing Ukraine War

Russian human rights activist Oleg Orlov, co-chairman of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning group Memorial, has been sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison for "repeatedly discrediting" the Russian military by criticizing the war in Ukraine. Orlov, 70, denounced the case as politically motivated and stated "I don't regret anything and I don't repent anything" in his closing statement. The verdict, which drew support from Western diplomats and activists, reflects the low tolerance for criticism of the war by the Russian government, and is seen as an attempt to silence the human rights movement in Russia.