A Russian teenager has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for donating cryptocurrency to a pro-Ukrainian paramilitary unit, according to reports. The case has sparked outrage and concerns about the increasingly harsh crackdown on dissent in Russia.

The teenager, identified only as “A.K.” by Russian media outlets, was found guilty of “financing terrorism” and “participating in an illegal armed formation” by a court in the Krasnodar region. He was accused of donating Bitcoin to the Azov Regiment, a Ukrainian unit that has been at the forefront of fighting against Russian forces.

Prosecutors argued that A.K.’s actions constituted support for “terrorism” and presented evidence of the teenager’s crypto transactions. While the defense argued that A.K.’s actions were motivated by humanitarian concerns and that the Azov Regiment should not be considered a terrorist organization, their pleas were disregarded.

The sentence has been condemned by human rights groups, who argue that the case represents an alarming escalation of the Russian government’s crackdown on dissent. The use of vaguely defined “terrorism” charges to prosecute those who express support for Ukraine has become increasingly common in Russia since the start of the war.

The teenager’s case highlights the chilling effect of the Russian government’s relentless efforts to silence any opposition to the war. The sentence serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences facing those who dare to speak out against the official narrative. The international community is closely watching this case and its implications for freedom of expression in Russia.