On December 27, the Samara Oblast Court found musician Eduard Sharlot guilty of rehabilitating Nazism and offending the religious feelings of believers (Articles 354.1 and 148 of the Russian Criminal Code), according to the press service of the regional branch of the Investigative Committee.
Eduard Sharlot was sentenced to 5.5 years in a minimum-security penal colony and banned from posting on the internet for four years after his release.
Sharlot was detained upon his return to Russia in November 2023 following a denunciation by Ekaterina Mizulina, head of the Safe Internet League. Previously, he had posted a video showing him burning his Russian passport and nailing a photo of Patriarch Kirill, along with his military ID, to a crucifix.
The singer issued multiple apologies for his actions, including one directed at Patriarch Kirill. Vakhtang Kipshidze, a representative of the Moscow Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church, subsequently suggested that the judge consider releasing Sharlot.
During court hearings, Sharlot declared his support for the "Special Military Operation" (SMO) and reported that his mental health had deteriorated due to bipolar disorder.
