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Russia Jails Three Lawyers of Late Opposition Leader Navalny for Up to 5.5 Years on Extremism Charges

Jan 17, 2025, 10:07 AM

Russian authorities have sentenced three former lawyers of the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny 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 accused of facilitating Navalny's political activities from prison by passing messages between him and his allies, which were published in his posthumously released book 'The Patriot'. Navalny died in prison in February 2024 under unclear circumstances. Estonia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the verdicts as politically motivated and a further step in silencing dissent in Russia. The sentencing marks an unprecedented move in Russia, where lawyers are now being jailed for extremism related to their defense activities, highlighting the Kremlin's escalating crackdown on opposition figures.