Russian opposition leader Ilya Yashin (File image)
Photo : AP
According to reports, the probe was launched against Yashin for speaking about the Bucha killings. The development was confirmed by Yashin’s lawyer Vadim Prokhorov. He told Russian News agencies that his client spoke of “the murder of civilians in Bucha” in Ukraine on his YouTube channel on April 7.
A search was reportedly carried out at Yashin’s residence. His other lawyer, Mikhail Biriukov, said that the opposition leader was taken out of prison to attend. Yashin was sentenced to 15 days in jail for disobeying police in June this year, reported AFP.
After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the country imposed prison sentences of up to 15 years for spreading information about the Russian Army which considers being false by authorities. Yashin is an ally of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. his political organisation have also been outlawed. The Russian government has stepped up efforts to curb dissent since the invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
