Russia to Announce a Verdict in Navalny’s Case; Kremlin Critic Expects Prolonged Jail Time period

MOSCOW (AP) — Imprisoned Russian opposition chief Alexei Navalny on account of hear the decision Friday in his newest trial on extremism expenses.

The prosecution has demanded a 20-year jail sentence, and the politician himself stated he expects a prolonged jail time period.

Navalny is already serving a nine-year sentence for fraud and contempt of courtroom in a penal colony east of Moscow. In 2021, he was additionally sentenced to 2 1/2 years in jail for a parole violation. The newest trial towards Navalny has been happening behind closed doorways within the colony the place he’s imprisoned.

If the courtroom finds Navalny responsible, it is going to be his fifth legal conviction, all of which have been extensively seen as a deliberate technique by the Kremlin to silence its most ardent opponent.

The brand new expenses relate to the actions of Navalny’s anti-corruption basis and statements by his high associates. His allies stated the fees retroactively criminalize all the inspiration’s actions since its creation in 2011.

Navalny has rejected all the fees towards him as politically motivated and has accused the Kremlin of looking for to maintain him behind bars for all times.

On the eve of the decision listening to, Navalny — presumably by his group — launched an announcement on social media through which he stated he anticipated his sentence to be “big… a Stalinist time period,” referring to the Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin.

Within the submit, Navalny known as on Russians to “personally” resist and inspired them to help political prisoners, distribute flyers or go to a rally. He instructed Russians that they might select a protected means to withstand however added “there may be disgrace in doing nothing. It’s shameful to let your self be intimidated.”

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