The prosecutor asked a court to impose a punishment of eight and a half years in prison in absentia on Pyotr Verzilov, a Pussy Riot member and former publisher of Mediazona. Verzilov is listed as a foreign agent on the Russian registry, and the request centers on claims that he discredited the Russian armed forces. The information was reported by TASS, citing statements from Verzilov’s lawyer, Leonid Solovyov.
Solovyov conveyed the prosecutor’s position during a court session, noting that the request for an eight-and-a-half-year term in absentia was made as part of the ongoing proceedings. The case concerns alleged dissemination of false information about the use of the armed forces of the Russian Federation, a charge described in clause e of part 2 of article 207.3 of the Criminal Code. Verzilov is currently outside Russia, which is a central factor in the proceedings.
Earlier reports indicated that the Basmanny District Court had begun reconsidering the criminal case against Verzilov. A March 28 hearing was postponed to April 1, with the court citing reasons described as other factors. The postponement and the ongoing review suggest active efforts to determine the appropriate legal response in this matter, even as timelines shift.
In a related development, the Moscow City Court had previously ruled in absentia to sentence Verzilov to eight and a half years in a general regime penal colony for discrediting the Russian army. That decision directed the case to be sent back to the Moscow Basmanny Court for a new hearing, to be conducted under a different configuration of the court. This sequence reflects the complexity of appellate and re-hearing processes in this case, which involves multiple levels of the judiciary and changes in how the case is structured within Russia’s legal system.
Reports also mention an earlier in absentia sentence for another individual, Lucy Stein, with a separate term described as up to six years in prison. The evolving nature of these rulings highlights ongoing legal scrutiny around the dissemination of information related to military actions and the penalties that accompany such disclosures in Russia.
Observers note that Verzilov, who has been active in independent media and protest movements, is among several figures who have faced legal action under laws regulating what is portrayed as information about the armed forces. The case remains of interest to international observers concerned with freedom of expression, media rights, and the interpretation of national security statutes in Russia. Attribution for the reported updates comes from TASS through statements by Verzilov’s defense counsel, as reported at various stages of the proceedings.
As proceedings continue, legal experts and commentators emphasize the role of procedural steps in shaping outcomes. Delays, re-hearings, and potential changes in the court’s composition or jurisdiction can influence whether a defendant faces a custodial sentence in absentia. The broader context includes ongoing discussions about how Russia implements laws governing information about its military forces, the treatment of individuals designated as foreign agents, and the rights of those who are not physically present inside the country to participate in or respond to criminal proceedings.
Given the fluid nature of the case, observers watch for further court announcements that could clarify the status of Verzilov’s charges, any new scheduling of hearings, and whether the eight-and-a-half-year figure remains the proposed penalty in absentia or whether adjustments will occur as the case proceeds. The situation underscores how Russian courts handle cases involving public discourse about military operations and state actions, especially in contexts where individuals reside outside the country.