Nephew of Russia's 'propagandist-in-chief' jailed over role in Ukrainian conflict - The Independent

The nephew of a key player in Russian state propaganda has been convicted in Germany for state security offences relating to eastern Ukraine — three years after his uncle unwittingly boasted about his participation in the conflict there.

Sergei Kiselyov, a German resident and the nephew of Russian state news anchor Dmitry Kiselyov, was Thursday sentenced to 2 years and 3 months imprisonment by a court in Munich.  The verdict was made in relation to two narrow allegations: that Sergei Kiselyov violated arms laws; and that he underwent military training in St Petersburg in August 2014 ahead of travelling to Ukraine. 

Mr Kiselyov, who was pictured holding rifles and other weapons in eastern Ukraine, says he travelled to Ukraine to "defend Russian-speaking populations" there. He insists he did not kill anyone. 

On announcing his verdict, the judge noted that the prosecution had not managed to prove conclusively that the defendant underwent military training — though there was "much" that suggested so.  The sentence, which was reduced from a maximum of 10 years, came as the result of a bargain between defence and prosecution.