Former Riga City Council member Igor Kuzmuk received a final sentence – two years in prison for supporting the financing of Russia's war against Ukraine, reports the LETA agency.
The Supreme Court refused to initiate cassation proceedings, therefore the decision has come into effect.
The court established that Kuzmuk, by reposting a message calling to support Russia, ensured its (the message's) dissemination to a wider audience and contributed to achieving the goal set forth in this call. The fact that the author of the message was not prosecuted and was not personally acquainted with Kuzmuk did not affect the court's conclusion.
The Supreme Court separately assessed the arguments regarding freedom of speech and dismissed them.
It should be noted that initially, the Riga City Court in the Latgale suburb fully acquitted Kuzmuk. However, the district court overturned this decision, found him guilty, and sentenced him to two years of imprisonment, as well as one year of probation. The measure of restraint was changed to arrest, and Kuzmuk was taken into custody right in the courtroom.
The prosecution previously reported that Kuzmuk reposted a call in his Telegram channel to finance and provide resources for the armed forces of Russia, whose actions are directed against the territorial integrity and political independence of Ukraine.
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