MOSCOW (AP) 鈥 A prominent Russian opposition figure was on Friday sentenced to 8 1/2 years in prison after being convicted on charges stemming from his criticism of the Kremlin鈥檚 action in Ukraine.

The sentence handed to Ilya Yashin, one of the few Kremlin critics to have stayed in Russia, offered the latest indication of an intensified crackdown on dissent by Russian authorities. International human rights groups have denounced it as a mockery of justice and called for Yashin's immediate release.

鈥淲ith that hysterical sentence, the authorities want to scare us all but it effectively shows their weakness,鈥 Yashin said in a statement through his lawyers after the judge passed the sentence. 鈥淥nly the weak want to shut everyone's mouth and eradicate any dissent.鈥

Yashin was charged with spreading false information about the military 鈥 a new offense added to the country鈥檚 criminal law after Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine.

Speaking Monday just before sentencing, Yashin addressed Putin directly, urging him to 鈥渋mmediately stop this madness, recognize that the policy on Ukraine was wrong, pull back troops from its territory and switch to a diplomatic settlement of the conflict.鈥

Asked about the verdict at a briefing, Putin said he wouldn't question a court verdict, adding that Yashin's lawyers could appeal it.

The charges against Yashin related to a YouTube livestream video in which he talked about Ukrainians being killed in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha. He rejects the charges as politically motivated.

During the trial at Moscow鈥檚 Meshchansky District Court, Yashin argued that his case has been fabricated and 鈥渉as all the markings of illegal political persecution.鈥 He noted that in the video he cited Russian official sources along with Ukrainian statements to give his audience an objective view.

In his final remarks, Yashin emphasized that he considers it his duty to tell the truth, saying: 鈥淚 will not renounce the truth behind bars."

鈥淲hen the hostilities began, I didn't hesitate for a second," Yashin said. "I felt I should remain in Russia, loudly tell the truth and try to do all what I could to end the bloodshed. It's better to sit behind bars for a decade and remain an honest person than silently feel shame for the blood spilled by your government.鈥

Human Rights Watch denounced Yashin鈥檚 sentencing as part of 鈥渃ontinued efforts to dismantle and decapitate Russia鈥檚 peaceful political opposition鈥 and demanded his immediate release.

鈥淭he verdict against Yashin is a travesty of justice and an act of cowardice, directed by a Kremlin that feels threatened by vocal and visible critics like him,鈥 said Rachel Denber, deputy Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

Amnesty International鈥檚 Russia Director, Natalia Zviagina, noted that 鈥渉eavy fines, imprisonment, loss of livelihood, harassment, and physical attacks are all being used to silence those who protest or speak out against the war of aggression against Ukraine.鈥 鈥淚n today鈥檚 Russia, telling the truth about human rights violations has literally been made a crime,鈥 she said.

Days after Putin sent troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24, Russia鈥檚 Kremlin-controlled parliament approved legislation that outlawed alleged disparaging of the Russian military or the spread of 鈥渇alse information鈥 about the country鈥檚 military operation in Ukraine.

Dozens of Russian independent media outlets were banned as a result and others announced that they would halt any reporting related to Ukraine.

Authorities have also continued to label independent journalists and media outlets as 鈥渇oreign agents,鈥 a designation that carries negative connotations and implies additional government scrutiny.

The Russian Justice Ministry on Friday designated the Bell online publication and a few individuals as 鈥渇oreign agents.鈥

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