Human rights activist Lev Ponomarev is sentenced in absentia to five and a half years in prison for founding the ‘undesirable’ Andrei Sakharov Institute

Lev Ponomarev, an 84-year-old prominent human rights activist, has been sentenced in absentia to five and a half years in prison by a Moscow court for establishing the Andrei Sakharov Institute, which was labeled 'undesirable.' This ruling underscores the Russian government's continued crackdown on dissent and independent voices. Ponomarev's absence likely stems from fear of arrest if he returns, highlighting the perilous environment for activists in Russia today. This sentence is a stark reminder of the ongoing repression faced by those advocating for human rights in the country.