Moscow [Russia], June 10: An appeals court in Moscow on Tuesday upheld the sentence of eight and a half years' imprisonment handed down to German satirist Jacques Tilly for his Carnival floats.
Judge Vladimir Usov read out the decision of the three-judge panel, stating that the defence's appeal against the verdict was dismissed and the sentence upheld.
In April, a court in Moscow found the well-known artist Tilly guilty in absentia of offending religious feelings and spreading false information about the Russian armed forces through his displays in traditional Carnival parades in his home town of Dusseldorf. On several occasions, Tilly mocked Russian President Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine, as well as Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill.
Public defender Natalya Dudkina said the case is now closed unless the sculptor requests it be taken to the next level of jurisdiction.
"That concludes the case," Tilly said in response to a dpa enquiry in Dusseldorf. "I see no reason to prolong this absurd show trial. The verdict is a farce anyway. It will not affect our satirical work during Carnival. We will carry on as before."
Source: Qatar Tribune