A court in Russia on Wednesday sentenced a Russian American national to three and a half years in a penal colony after he had criticized the country, its leadership and its war in Ukraine on social media. Yuri Malev, 60, identified in court as a security guard at the MatchPoint sports complex in Brooklyn, was arrested in Russia last December. He was charged with “rehabilitating Nazism” over two social media posts that expressed “obvious disrespect for society” and “insulted the memory of World War II” and its veterans, the court said. Mr. Malev, the court said, admitted guilt and was sentenced in an expedited proceeding. Mr. Malev joins a list of American nationals currently in Russian custody, including Evan Gershkovich, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal; Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine; and Alsu Kurmasheva, an editor working for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

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Persons: Yuri Malev, ”, “, Malev, Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, Alsu Organizations: Wednesday, Wall, U.S . Marine, Radio Free, Radio Liberty Locations: Russia, American, Ukraine, Brooklyn, U.S, Radio Free Europe