Russian Court Sentences Navalny's Lawyers Kobzev, Liptser, Sergunin to 3.5 to 5.5 Years for Extremism

Jan 17, 2025, 08:06 AM

A Russian court has sentenced three former lawyers of the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny to prison terms ranging from 3.5 to 5.5 years. Vadim Kobzev, Alexei Liptser, and Igor Sergunin were convicted on charges of participating in an 'extremist organization.' The sentencing took place in the town of Petushki, in Russia's Vladimir region. The lawyers were accused of using their status to help Navalny, who was serving a 19-year sentence for extremism before his death, to lead and manage the alleged extremist community from prison. The case against the lawyers is seen as part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Russia, with the court also banning them from practicing law for three years post-sentence. The trial was conducted in a closed session, and the lawyers' defense argued that there was no criminal activity, only legal assistance provided to Navalny.