Anton Chechin, a Russian activist detained in December, 2024, was sentenced to 8 years and 6 months after being found guilty on serious drug charges, linked to Georgian protests.

Tbilisi City Court Judge Jvebe Nachkebia delivered the verdict early on the morning of September 2.

Chechin, 26, had faced charges of illegally purchasing and possessing a large quantity of narcotics, an offense punishable by eight years to life in prison. He pleaded innocent, and his defense argued that the police planted the drugs on him because of his activism.