Russia jails young anti-fascists in 'terror' case

A Russian court on Monday sentenced a group of young anarchists and anti-fascists to between six and 18 years in prison on terror and other charges, a lawyer told AFP.

A military court in the central Russian city of Penza handed down the verdict in the so-called "Network" case, Sergei Morgunov, a lawyer for one of the seven defendants, told AFP.

Rights activists and defence lawyers strongly criticised the case overseen by the FSB security service, a successor to the KGB, saying the men had been tortured.

All seven had denied the charges.

Dmitry Pchelintsev and Ilya Shakursky were convicted of creating a "terrorist organisation", among other charges, and sentenced to 18 and 16 years in prison respectively.

The FSB has accused Pchelintsev, 27, of creating the "Network" with the goal of overthrowing the government and seeking to attack government offices and employees.

Five other men were found guilty of participating in the organisation.

Several members of the group were also convicted .