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Russia Sentences Three of Navalny's Lawyers to Up to 5.5 Years in Prison for Extremism

Jan 17, 2025, 09:01 AM

Three lawyers who defended the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny have been sentenced by a Russian court to prison terms ranging from 3.5 to 5.5 years on charges of participating in an extremist organization. The lawyers—Vadim Kobzev, Alexei Liptser, and Igor Sergunin—were arrested in October 2023 and accused of facilitating Navalny's political activities from prison by allegedly passing messages, including letters that formed part of Navalny's posthumously published book "The Patriot." The trial was held behind closed doors, and the lawyers were added to an official list of terrorists and extremists. The sentencing underscores Russia's increasing crackdown on dissent and further diminishes the country's adherence to the rule of law. Navalny, a prominent Kremlin critic, died in prison in February 2024.