Russian Court Sentences Pskov Journalist in Absentia to Three Years for ‘Discrediting’ Army

Overview

• An in-absentia verdict from the Pskov City Court imposes three years in a general-regime colony on the editor of Pskovskaya Guberniya.
• He was convicted under Article 280.3 for repeat public ‘discreditation’ of the Armed Forces and under Article 330.1 for evading foreign‑agent obligations.
• The court says that while abroad between February 24, 2022 and April 28, 2023 he posted a YouTube monologue tying Russian military actions to strikes on civilian infrastructure and civilian deaths.
• Judges also cited Telegram posts published without required foreign‑agent labeling after prior administrative penalties, and ordered a three-year ban on administering internet sites.
• Reports differ on his first name, with outlets referring to him as either Denis or Dmitry, and the court press service states he remains on a federal wanted list.