"Lesbian Artist Imprisoned for Criticizing Putin, Military"

A lesbian artist in Russia, Alexandra Skochilenko, has been sentenced to seven years in a penal colony for criticizing the country's military actions in Ukraine. Skochilenko was convicted of spreading false information and arrested under a law that effectively outlaws criticism of the Russian government and military. She had switched price tags in a supermarket to display antiwar messages. Skochilenko's supporters shouted "Shame!" after the verdict was read. The sentencing comes amid heightened hostility towards the LGBTQ+ community in Russia, with the Ministry of Justice seeking to declare the "international public LGBT movement" extremist and ban its activities. Skochilenko's lawyers plan to appeal the conviction and sentencing.