A Ukrainian citizen has been given a 12- year prison sentence after being found guilty of plotting terror attacks in Russia’s Rostov region, the Interfax news agency reports.
The North Caucasus military court on Monday also handed Alexei Sizonovich a fine of 250,000 rubles ($4,166) for possession of explosives and trying to enter Russia illegally.
A former coal miner, Sizonovich pleaded guilty to charges of collecting information about transport infrastructure in the Rostov region in May 2016 and making explosive devices with the intent to commit terrorist attacks in Russia and Ukraine.
He was detained in September 2016 while trying to re-enter Russia.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
