Russian opposition leader sentenced

Alexei Navalny is sentenced to five years in prison

By Nicole Hamer |

13:06 18 July 2013

Alexei Navalny, the Russian opposition leader, has been sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of embezzlement. This is in regards to a timber firm.

 

The accusation was that Alexei Navalny, aged 37, defrauded the timber company. He was given his sentence after being found guilty of being the head of a collection of individuals who embezzled wood worth around £325,000 from Kirovles, which is a state timber business.

 

This relates to while he was an advisor to Kirov’s regional governor.

 

Alexei Navalny has always said the trial came about due to his stance being in opposition to President Vladimir Putin.

 

Pyotr Ofitserov, Alexei Navalny’s co-defendant, was found guilty too.

 

Alexei Navalny was known for leading campaigns that went against United Russia party. He also blogged frequently in relation to allegations of corruption.

 

Alexei Navalny came into the spotlight in 2011 over mass protests against the Kremlin.

 

For this case, it was agreed on by the court to let the entirety of the trial be shown on the internet as it happened.