Russian nationalist and mercenary from the Bosnian War remains in prison after accusing Putin of weakness

(Patria) - A Moscow court ruled that a nationalist who accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of weakness and indecisiveness in Ukraine remains in prison on extremism charges, reported AP.

Igor Strelkov, a retired security official who led Moscow-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine in 2014 and was convicted of murder in the Netherlands for his role in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 that year, claims a full mobilization is needed for Russia to achieve victory. He has previously criticized Putin as a "nobody" and a "cowardly mediocrity".

The Moscow District Court ordered the 52-year-old Strelkov, whose real name is Igor Girkin, to remain in custody until September 18. Strelkov was arrested on July 21 and faces charges of calling for extremist activities. He could face five years in prison if convicted.

Strelkov's legal team advocated for his detention in house arrest, citing health problems. Strelkov's wife, Miroslava Reginskaya, speaking after the verdict, said "the court's decision is unfair and we will appeal."

His arrest was interpreted as a signal that the Kremlin had tightened its approach to critics following the failed rebellion of the Wagner mercenary company in June. Strelkov was arrested nearly a month after the short-lived rebellion launched by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of Wagner.

Like Prigozhin, Strelkov sharply criticized Russian military leaders for incompetence, but he also condemned the Wagner chief and described his actions as treason and a great threat to the Russian state. The two repeatedly exchanged insults, and Strelkov's supporters say that one of Wagner's mercenaries initiated a criminal investigation into his statements.

Our public remembers Sterlkov as a mercenary during the aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina, fighting mostly in the area of Višegrad and eastern Bosnia.