Russian Opposition Leader Alexei Navalny Convicted of Fraud

According to his allies, a Russian court on Tuesday sentenced Navalny to 13 years in prison for fraud, a ruling that may keep him out of a maximum security prison for the rest of his life.

Navalny, who is currently serving a two-and-a-half year sentence that the European Court of Human Rights called politically motivated, has used his appearances during the trial to denounce Putin's invasion of Ukraine, which has plunged Russia into economic crisis and international isolation.

The conviction comes amid a harsh crackdown on dissent since the start of the war, with Putin labeling those opposed to the invasion as traitors.

The Man Putin Fears.

Navalny told the court in his final statement that it was his duty to oppose the war. He said that the invasion of Ukraine would result in the collapse of the country.

The transfer of Navalny to a more remote penal colony will make it harder for him to keep in touch with his supporters.

Ivan Zhdanov, Navalny's aide, said that the judge found Navalny guilty of fraud and contempt of court. After the judge reads her ruling, his sentence will be announced.

He was able to post on social media via his lawyers because he was able to stand trial remotely from his prison.

2/20 You all know that there are no independent courts in Russia, but when they say “court”, you still probably imagine a solemn hall, a tribune and a judge with a gavel. Well, there is none of this in Alexei’s case. All 13 hearings took place right in his penal colony. pic.twitter.com/XpMEYaKntG

— Кира Ярмыш (@Kira_Yarmysh) March 21, 2022

After recovering from a near-fatal attack involving a nerve-agent that he and Western governments blamed on Putin's secret services, Navalny was arrested in January 2021. The assassination attempt in Siberia was denied by the Kremlin.

Since 2000, Putin has been in power, the longest rule by a Soviet leader. Russian authorities have accused Navalny of acting as a Western agent and banned his organizations as extremists, prompting most of his key aides to flee the country to avoid arrest.

Human rights defenders and Navalny's supporters have accused Putin of doing everything to keep him silent. The case was denounced as a sham trial.

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