Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been sentenced to 19 years in prison, a move that both the European Union and the United Nations have criticized as ‘unacceptable.’
On Friday, the 47-year-old critic appeared before a closed-door court hearing in a makeshift courtroom at the IK-6 penal colony.
He was sentenced to serve his most recent prison term in a’special regime’ penal colony, which are among Russia’s worst institutions, with the greatest levels of security and the most stringent inmate restrictions.
Navalny now has 10 days to file an appeal against the court’s decision. If he chooses, he will not be sent to prison until his appeal is heard.
In response to the hefty sentencing, European Union President Charles Michel stated: The latest verdict in yet another sham trial against Alexei Navalny is unacceptable. ‘This arbitrary conviction is the response to his courage to speak critically against the Kremlin’s regime.’
Germany’s foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock condemned the ruling, writing on social media:
‘Russia’s arbitrary justice system imprisoning Alexei Navalny for another 19 years is pure injustice.
Germany’s foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock condemned the ruling, writing on social media:
‘Russia’s arbitrary justice system imprisoning Alexei Navalny for another 19 years is pure injustice.
‘Putin fears nothing more than standing up against war and corruption and for democracy – even from a prison cell. He will not silence critical voices with this.’
Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, said:
‘It is a sinister act of political vengeance that not only targets Navalny personally but serves as a warning to state critics across the country.
‘The outcome of today’s sham trial offers just the latest example of the systematic oppression of Russian civil society that has intensified since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year.’
‘We are following this case closely’, UN Human Rights Office spokesman Jeremy Laurence said during a briefing on Friday before Navalny was sentenced.