Russian Poet Gets Four Years In Prison For Reciting Verses Against Ukraine War

Nikolai Daineko

A Moscow court has sentenced a poet to four years in prison for publicly reciting verses condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Tver district court sentenced Nikolai Daineko on May 10 after finding him guilty of "inciting hatred and calling for anti-state activities." Daineko, who agreed to cooperate with investigators, was arrested along with two other poets, Artyom Kamardin and Yegor Shtovba, in September after they presented their anti-war verses in public. Kamardin’s girlfriend has accused police of subjecting the poet to sexual violence during his apprehension. Kamardin and Shtovba will be tried separately. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Russian Service, click here.