Three lawyers who defended the late Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny are now facing trial in Russia, highlighting the ongoing crackdown on political dissent.
At a Glance
- Three former lawyers of Alexei Navalny are on trial for alleged involvement with extremist groups
- The trial is seen as an attempt to pressure opposition and discourage defense of political cases
- Proceedings are closed to the public and taking place in Petushki, 100 km east of Moscow
- Human rights advocates have labeled the accused lawyers as political prisoners
Trial Begins for Navalny’s Former Lawyers
In a significant development that underscores the intensifying political repression in Russia, three lawyers who previously represented the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny have been put on trial. Vadim Kobzev, Igor Sergunin, and Alexei Liptser were arrested in October 2023 on charges of involvement with extremist groups, a move widely interpreted as a continuation of the Kremlin’s efforts to silence dissent.
The trial, which began in the Vladimir region east of Moscow, is taking place in Petushki, approximately 100 kilometers from the capital. This location decision, along with the court’s refusal to hold proceedings in Moscow where the defendants were held in pre-trial detention, has raised eyebrows among observers.
Charges and Potential Consequences
The lawyers are accused of participating in an “extremist” organization, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of six years. Authorities claim that the defendants used their positions to pass information from Navalny to his team, enabling him to continue his political activities from prison. This allegation stems from a 2021 ruling that outlawed Navalny’s organizations as extremist groups, a decision widely condemned by Kremlin critics as politically motivated.
“Three lawyers who once represented the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny went on trial Thursday in Russia, part of the Kremlin’s unrelenting crackdown on dissent that has reached levels unseen since Soviet times.”
The case against Navalny’s lawyers is viewed by many as an attempt to further isolate opposition figures and discourage defense attorneys from taking on politically sensitive cases. This trial comes in the wake of Navalny’s death in February at an Arctic prison colony, where he was serving a 19-year sentence for leading an “extremist” organization.
Closed Proceedings and International Concern
In a move that has drawn criticism from human rights advocates, the judge ordered the proceedings closed to the public, overruling objections from defense attorneys. This lack of transparency has fueled concerns about the fairness of the trial and the overall state of judicial independence in Russia.
“The judge in the Petushki District Court on Thursday ordered the proceedings closed to the public, overruling objections from defense attorneys.”
The trial of Navalny’s lawyers is part of a broader pattern of repression against those associated with the opposition leader. Since Navalny’s death, Russian authorities have arrested journalists covering his court hearings and added his wife, Yulia Navalnaya, to the list of “terrorists and extremists.” These actions have been met with widespread condemnation from the international community and human rights organizations.
Sources
1. A trial begins for lawyers who once represented the Kremlin’s late foe Alexei Navalny
