(GNB Desk): A Moscow court sentenced Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny to two years and eight months in prison, defying tens of thousands of his supporters who had rallied in his support since his return to Russia and Western governments who had urged for his immediate release.
Navalny, 44, a leading critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was arrested for parole violations on Jan. 17 upon his return to Russia from Germany, where he had been treated for a nerve agent poisoning that took place last August.
His arrest triggered mass protests across Russia, with supporters taking to the streets in more than 100 cities for unsanctioned rallies urging his release.
As Navalny’s sentence was read today, he pointed to his wife Yulia in the courtroom and traced the outline of a heart on the glass cage where he was being held. He told his wife: ‘Don’t be sad, everything will be fine’, according to local media.
He told his wife: ‘Don’t be sad, everything will be fine’, according to local media.
U.S. Secretary of State Blinken condemns Russia for Navalny sentencing
Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned the Russian government on Tuesday after Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny was sentenced to more than two years in prison.
“The United States is deeply concerned by Russia’s actions toward Aleksey Navalny. We reiterate our call for the Russian government to immediately and unconditionally release Mr. Navalny, as well as hundreds of other Russian citizens wrongfully detained in recent weeks for exercising their rights,” Blinken said.
He was accused of failing to keep in contact with his parole officer during that time regarding a suspended sentence related to 2014 fraud charges. Navalny called the case politically motivated.
A global media for the latest news, entertainment, music fashion, and more.
