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Akbar Novruz

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A Ukrainian court has sentenced socialist activist Bogdan Syrotiuk to 15 years in prison for high treason, with his supporters arguing that the case amounts to a crackdown on political dissent during the war with Russia.

Syrotiuk, 27, was convicted on August 10 on charges of allegedly assisting Russia in its war against Ukraine. According to his supporters, however, the evidence presented by prosecutors consisted of six articles he wrote for the World Socialist Web Site (WSWS).

The articles explicitly criticised Russian President Vladimir Putin and condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, while also criticising the government of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Syrotiuk is a member of the Young Guard of Bolshevik-Leninists (YGBL), a socialist political organisation. The court has also ordered the destruction of the organisation's political literature, according to his supporters.

More than 6,000 people from around 60 countries have signed an open letter calling for Syrotiuk's release.

His supporters have also raised concerns about his health, saying that the 27-year-old's condition has deteriorated while in detention. They argue that the conditions in Ukraine's prison system pose a serious threat to his health and could amount to a "death sentence."

The case has drawn broader attention to restrictions on political activity and freedom of expression in Ukraine during the war.

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukrainian authorities have taken a number of measures against political organisations and media outlets viewed as posing security risks. The government has banned numerous political parties and restricted or blocked a large number of websites.

Supporters of Syrotiuk argue that his conviction demonstrates how wartime security measures are also being used against domestic political opponents, particularly those who criticise both Moscow and Kyiv.