Masha GessenRussian-American journalist, was sentenced in absentia this Monday to eight years in prison allegedly spread “false information” O Armed Forces of Russia, in the midst of the invasion Ukraineunleashed in February 2022 by decree of the country’s president, Vladimir Putin.

Press service Moscow courts This is stated in a statement published on his account in Telegram What Gessen was found guilty of “publicly disseminating false information about the Armed Forces.”” and indicated that he should serve an eight-year sentence in a “penal colony.”

He also added that The sentence implies that the journalistvery critical of Putin, You will not be able to operate web pages or use communication networks for four years.a fine that will come into effect if The woman will be extradited to Russia or detained if she enters the country.

Russian authorities They put Hessen on the wanted list and captured him in December 2023. on the same charges. The journalist has been in exile since 2013.when moving to USA after approval in Russia law against the homosexual community.

Journalist, youLGBTI rights activist who collaborates with numerous American media outlets, is known for writing in 2011 biography about Putin called “The Faceless Man” and for his statements about massacre in the Ukrainian city of Bucha between February and March 2022, from which Moscow disassociated itself several times.

(according to information from Europe Press)