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Russia Jails Navalny's Lawyers for Passing Messages After His Death

Jan 17, 2025, 10:58 AM

Three lawyers who represented 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 later added to an official list of 'terrorists and extremists' in November 2023. They were accused of facilitating Navalny's political activities from prison by allegedly passing messages between him and his allies, including removing his letters from prison. These letters formed part of Navalny's posthumously published book "The Patriot." The trial was held behind closed doors. Navalny died in prison in February 2024 under unclear circumstances. The sentencing of his lawyers is seen as part of the Kremlin's ongoing crackdown on dissent and efforts to silence opposition voices in Russia. International organizations and foreign officials have condemned the verdicts, calling for the immediate release of the lawyers and denouncing the violation of the universal principle of the rule of law. Julia Navalnaya, Navalny's widow, demanded their immediate release, stating that they are political prisoners.