According to a report from Interfax, the first appellate court of Moscow has denied the appeal made by the defense lawyers of Igor Strelkov (Girkin), a former leader of the Donetsk self-proclaimed republic. Strelkov was sentenced to four years in prison for organizing terrorist activities. The defense argued that the evidence provided by the prosecution, including testimonies from witnesses, experts, and investigators, was insufficient and that the legal proceedings were flawed. The state prosecutor, however, defended the validity of the sentence and requested its confirmation. Strelkov’s lawyers believe that the sentence is based on weak evidence and will appeal the court’s decision.

Strelkov, along with three years of internet restrictions enforced on sympathetic online resources, is set to be released on July 21, 2023, with the court’s permission. He is currently serving his sentence at the Lefortovo pre-trial detention center in Moscow. In November 2022, the Moscow Regional Court found Strelkov guilty of involvement in the 2014 downing of a Malaysia Airlines plane in Donbas, which resulted in the deaths of 298 individuals. However, the former leader of the Donbas separatists denies any involvement in the tragic event.

News.am reported this information through their Telegram channel.