EU chastises Russia over Navalny verdict

Top EU diplomat Josep Borrell on behalf of the European Union has resolutely condemned the ruling made earlier today by the Moscow City Court to sentence Russian politician Alexey Navalny for 19 more years in prison, the statement is published on the website of the EU’s mission to Russia.

“The European Union strongly condemns today’s ruling against the Russian opposition politician, Alexei Navalny, by a Moscow Court, sentencing him to an additional 19 years of imprisonment for actions which constitute legitimate political and anti-corruption activities,” the statement reads.

The European Union also noted that Navalny’s trial was held behind closed doors in a high-security prison, adding that his relatives or other observers were not allowed to attend it.

“This is a stark indication that the Russian legal system continues to be instrumentalised against Mr Navalny. It also shows how much Russian authorities are afraid of him. Mr Navalny is yet another example of the continued systematic crackdown by the Russian authorities, and their disregard for the human rights of their own citizens,” the EU stressed.

Brussels also called on Russia to abide by the ECHR ruling, demanding Navalny’s immediate release from prison.

Earlier today, Navalny received the verdict in the criminal case on extremism-related charges opened against him.

The Insider, Sota, and TASS report that the politician got 19 more years in prison. However, the audio in the live broadcast from the courtroom for reporters was extremely muffled. The state prosecutor asked the court to give Navalny 20 years behind bars.

The prison administration promised the politician’s parents, Lyudmila and Anatoly, that they would be allowed inside the courtroom when their son’s verdict was delivered. However, they were taken to a separate room to watch the broadcast, they told Mediazona.