The trial of arrested opposition leader Alexei Navalny opened today (Tuesday) in Moscow City Court. The hearing is in the “Yves Rocher” case in which Navalny was convicted in 2014 of 3.5 years probation. The prosecution now demands that the sentence be converted to actual imprisonment in a penal colony. According to many legal commentators the case is fabricated by the regime and essentially in embezzlement of funds by Navalny and his brother during the French company’s shipments of goods across Russia.
The leader of the opposition is in a glass cage through which he answers questions from the judge and representatives of the Federal Prison Service. Navalny tries to maintain a sense of humor and when asked where he lives he said “in cell number 1 in jail”. Navalny was later asked why he did not show up for the regular registration at a police station and he replied that he could not do so during the time he was in a coma at Scratch Hospital in Berlin as part of his life-saving efforts after the poisoning in Novichuk. His allegations did not leave much impression on the prosecution representative who said that Navalny should have contacted the authorities, reported on the rehabilitation period and presented documents to that effect.
In response, the detainee said that “while I was in a coma, I was given all the documents about my health and where I was. Then I got on the plane and arrived, what else could I do? You said you came to my house but I was not there, and it is clear why.”
The judge adjourned the hearing and announced a two-hour break. Navalny then said he “wants to treat the little elephant in the room. I want everyone, including the media, to notice that they put me in custody in a case where I was not guilty and the charge is fake. Someone very much wants me not to take a single step in our country as a free man. We know “Who wants that. The reason is the hatred and fear of one person living in the bunker. I insulted him badly by being able to survive after they tried to poison me to death at his command.”
At the same time, supporters of the opposition gathered outside the court and the independent news channel Nastoyasia and Ramia reported that more than 230 people had been arrested, including at least 11 journalists. Alongside the protesters were a number of diplomats from the United States, Britain, Switzerland, Latvia and other countries.
Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the president “does not follow the course of the debate” and that foreign diplomats should not interfere in the legal process or make moves that would put pressure on an independent court.