On Tuesday, law enforcement officials detained Lev Shlosberg, a prominent member of the Yabloko opposition party, and filed criminal charges against him for allegedly “discrediting” the Russian armed forces.

According to the party, police conducted searches and confiscated personal electronic devices from Shlosberg’s residence, his wife’s home, his 96-year-old father’s place, and the local Yabloko office in Pskov, located in the northwest of Russia.

Shlosberg, who has stayed in Russia despite opposing the war, is accused of advocating for a ceasefire in Ukraine during a debate with historian Yury Pivovarov in January. The debate was recorded and shared on the Russian social media platform Odnoklassniki.

The Pskov branch of Yabloko reported that Shlosberg was taken to a temporary detention facility following his arrest, with a court decision on the extension of his detention anticipated on Wednesday.

At 61 years old, Shlosberg could face a prison sentence of up to five years if convicted of repeatedly “discrediting” the military. He has previously been fined on two administrative occasions for similar infractions.

In January, authorities also charged Shlosberg for not adhering to Russia’s “foreign agent” regulations, which could lead to an additional two-year prison term if he is found guilty.

In June 2023, Russia’s Ministry of Justice designated him as a “foreign agent.” Under this law, individuals are required to append a lengthy disclaimer to all public communications, including social media posts.

Shlosberg, who formerly led Yabloko’s branch in Pskov, has consistently denounced Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine, referring to it as a “tragedy” on various social media platforms. Some opposition figures in exile have criticized him for not adopting a more confrontational stance regarding the war.

From 2011 to 2021, Shlosberg served as a member of the legislative assembly for the Pskov region.