On Friday, three solicitors representing the overdue Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny received jail sentences for allegedly working for an “extremist organization.”
The punishment of Igor Sergunin, Alexei Liptser, and Vadim Kobzev—3.5, 5, and 5.5 years respectively—follows their October 2023 detention and inclusion on a “terrorists and radicals” record, reported Reuters.
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Navalny, a vocal critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was serving a 19-year prison term for fanaticism fees at the time of his demise. His legal team had a significant role in getting the public’s criticism of the Kremlin and its activities, including the Ukraine conflict. Russia has increased its assault on opposition characters and their partners in the wake of his death.
The attorneys were charged with facilitating Navalny’s ability to communicate from captivity by sending his information to the outside world. These contacts, according to lawyers, enabled Navalny to guide an “extremist party” while incarcerated. The closed-door trial took place in Petushki, near the prison where Navalny was recently held.
” We are on prosecution for passing Navalny’s feelings to other people”, Kobzev said, according to The Guardian.
The statements were deemed by human rights activists to be a risky increase in Russia’s anti-dissent movement.
The case, according to Amnesty International, is a” terrible effort to silence those who dared to defend Navalny,” highlighting the Kremlin’s growing oppression of legitimate representatives of political opponents.
International anger
European countries were quick to condemn the words. The US State Department cited the Kremlin’s onslaught on the legal career and human rights as evidence.
Germany and the United Kingdom both called for the transfer of all political prisoners in Russia, according to The Guardian, and British foreign minister David Lammy called for the transfer of all social captives.
The threat of ignoring defense attorneys was raised by the right party OVD-Info, which warned that the rule of law in Russia still exists. According to the group,” the officials are now largely outlawing the defense of socially tortured people,” according to The Guardian.
The later Navalny’s wife, Yulia Navalnaya, also condemned the ruling, labelling the doctors as “political captives” and demanding their immediate release. Navalnaya has recently accused the Kremlin of orchestrating Navalny’s suicide in February 2023—a claim the Kremlin denies, according to Reuters.
Human rights organizations warn that the prosecution of rebels ‘ professionals is a troubling turn in the Kremlin’s work to stifle dissent and open up any remaining legal options.
