Igor Girkin loses appeal against prison sentence in Russia

moscow - Former Russian militia commander Igor Girkin lost his appeal against his prison sentence on Wednesday. He was sentenced to four years in prison in January for 'extremism.' Girkin had criticized President Vladimir Putin and complained about the effectiveness of the Russian military in Ukraine.

Former militia commander Igor Girkin, also known as Strelkov, lost his appeal against the prison sentence he received in Russia. Girkin was sentenced to four years in prison in January on charges of 'extremism.' He had voiced criticism against President Vladimir Putin and questioned the efficiency of the Russian military during the conflict in Ukraine.

Girkin, who was previously convicted in the Netherlands for his involvement in the downing of flight MH17, was a commander of separatist forces in eastern Ukraine when the plane was shot down in the summer of 2014.