Russian justice has now convicted opponent Alexei Navalny in another case, one for defamation

A Russian court on Saturday sentenced Alexei Navalny of “Defamation” against a 95-year-old WWII veteran. Previously, the three-and-a-half-year prison sentence handed down by the opposition for violating a judicial review had been upheld, during a trial described as “arbitrary” by the European Court of Human Rights.

Judge Vera Akimova said that Navalny was guilty of defaming a WWII veteran who was part of a group of Russians Navalny called “traitors” for appearing in a pro-Kremlin video.

The prosecution demanded in this case 950,000 rubles fine (about 10,600 euros, 12,800 dollars) and demanded that a suspended sentence of the opponent be transformed into a prison.

The defamation lawsuit dates back to June 2020, when Navalny issued a video in which he describes as “sold” and “traitors” the protagonists of a recording which defended the constitutional amendments promoted by Putin and which strengthened his power, among them, the veteran Ignat Artemenko.

The old man’s grandson chased the opponent, who did not acknowledge their responsibility and accused relatives of having take advantage of the situation, “exchange” with your image.

Soviet victory over Nazis occupies central place in Russian collective consciousness and it is widely celebrated by the authorities and the people. Criticism from veterans is generally not welcomed.

In previous hearings, Navalny has increased the tense exchanges with the prosecution and the judge, denouncing his submission to the authorities and believing that justice was manipulating a man of 94 years. to remove an opponent from power.

The incarceration of the unleashed opponent the biggest street protests in Russia in recent years, during which more than 10,000 people were arrested.

“I usually conclude with the words ‘Russia will be free’. But that’s not enough. I want people to receive normal wages, retire with dignity. Russia is an unhappy country. You can see it in their literatures. : that misfortune and suffering. Russia must be not only free, but also happy. Russia will be happy! “ Navalny said in his final remarks ahead of Saturday morning’s decision.

Last Wednesday, the European Court of Human Rights decided to ask the Russian government to release the opponentThe court body reflected in a statement on its website.

“On February 16, 2021, the Court decided to order the Russian government, in accordance with Rule 39 of the Rules of Court, to release the complainant. This measure will be applied with immediate effect “, the statement said.

“The Court examined the nature and extent of the risk to the life of the complainant, demonstrated it At first glance for the purposes of applying the provisional measure and considered it in the light of the general circumstances of the applicant’s current detention. This measure was granted without prejudice to the Court’s decision on the merits of the present case and to the competence of the Committee of Ministers ”, the document continues.

Navalny was arrested by police at passport control at Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow on January 17., after arriving in Russia on a flight from Berlin, where he traveled to recover from a poisoning suffered in August 2020 that the opponent blames the government of Vladimir Putin.

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