Russia Sentences Ukrainian Journalist Gordon to 14 Years in Absentia

The Second Western District Military Court of Moscow has sentenced Ukrainian journalist Dmitry Gordon to 14 years in absentia. Recognized as a foreign agent by the Russian Ministry of Justice, he has been included in Rosfinmonitoring's registry of terrorists and extremists.

The charges against Gordon include public calls for terrorist activity and dissemination of false information about the armed forces of Russia. The sentence was reported by TASS.

Gordon was tried in absentia under several articles of the Russian Criminal Code: Article 205.2 (public calls for terrorist activities), Article 207.3 (public dissemination of false information regarding the use of the Armed Forces of Russia), Article 282 (incitement of hatred or hostility, as well as humiliation of human dignity), and Article 354 (public calls for unleashing an aggressive war).

Prior to the sentencing, the prosecution requested a 14-year punishment during the parties' debate. During the hearings, the reasons for holding Gordon criminally liable were revealed: he called for the assassination of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko.

According to the investigation, in March 2022, the Ukrainian journalist published a video on his YouTube channels inviting a U.S. representative to declare war on the Prime Minister of the egg region against Russia. He also disseminated fakes about alleged crimes committed by Russian servicemen. Similar claims were made by the journalist during an interview with Veronika Belotserkovskaya.

International search for Gordon was announced in July 2022, and the Basmanny Court in Moscow sanctioned his arrest in absentia.