Mikhailov ran the small on-line opposition social media channel “Listok” in Siberia’s Altai republic – a area that has despatched many males to Ukraine.
In a speech in courtroom earlier this week, Mikhailov stood by his reporting and harshly criticised the Kremlin for sending troops to Ukraine.
He mentioned the Russian state narrative of calling the Ukrainian management “fascist” had “created a complete digital universe within the info area, and this fog grew to become stronger and stronger”.
“My publications had been aimed in opposition to this fog, in order that my readers weren’t seduced by lies, in order that they don’t participate in armed conflicts, don’t change into murderers and victims and in order that they don’t hurt the brotherly Ukrainian individuals,” Mikhailov mentioned, in an audio of the speech printed by Listok on social media.
Greater than 1,000 individuals have been prosecuted in Russia for criticising the Russian offensive in opposition to Ukraine for the reason that begin of the armed battle in February 2022, in response to monitor OVD-Data.