(EPICSTORIAN) – As Moscow intensifies its suppression of dissent, a Russian court has sentenced three lawyers who represented the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny to prison terms.
The ruling accuses them of being part of an “extremist organization” by allegedly passing messages from Navalny to the outside world.
The court in Petushki, east of Moscow, found Vadim Kobzev, Alexei Liptser, and Igor Sergunin guilty of the charges. Kobzev, the most prominent among them, received a 5.5-year sentence, while Liptser was sentenced to five years, and Sergunin to 3.5 years.
The trio was arrested in October 2023, months before Navalny’s controversial death in an Arctic penal colony in February 2024.
Targeting Navalny’s Inner Circle
The sentencing marks a significant escalation in Russia’s campaign against Navalny’s allies, which has intensified since the country launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Kremlin has sought to dismantle all remnants of Navalny’s movement, branding his Anti-Corruption Foundation as an extremist organization and imprisoning or exiling key figures.
Authorities justified the convictions by alleging the lawyers were facilitating communications from prison that supported Navalny’s banned movement. Critics argue that their imprisonment is part of a broader strategy to silence those who challenge President Vladimir Putin’s rule.
A Symbolic Blow to Russian Legal Defenders
The jailing of Navalny’s lawyers sends a chilling message to legal professionals in Russia. Observers warn that the move undermines the already shrinking space for independent legal defense in politically sensitive cases. Many legal experts and human rights advocates have condemned the verdict as another step toward authoritarianism.
The verdict aligns with the Kremlin’s ongoing crackdown, which has targeted journalists, activists, and opposition figures. Since Navalny’s death, authorities have doubled down on repression, ensuring that his supporters face continued persecution.
International Condemnation and Growing Pressure
Western governments and human rights organizations have denounced the sentencing. The U.S. State Department, the European Union, and Amnesty International have all criticized the move, calling for the lawyers’ immediate release.
“This is yet another example of Russia weaponizing its judicial system against those who dare to challenge the regime,” a European official stated.
As Putin prepares for another presidential term, Russia’s crackdown on dissent shows no signs of easing, raising concerns about the future of political opposition within the country.
