Trial of Russian activist Alexei Navalny resumes

The trial on embezzlement charges of one of Russia's leading opposition figures, Alexei Navalny, resumed in April 2013.

The 36 year old, who is known for his blogs denouncing President Vladimir Putin's United Russia party as corrupt, could face up to 10 years in prison.

He called the charges 'absurd'. In an interview with the BBC, Mr Navalny accused Mr Putin of personally ordering his prosecution in an effort to discredit him.

In July 2013 Russian prosecutors called for a six-year prison sentence for Mr Navalny on the charges at the closing of court case, In response, Mr Navalny came down on the country’s 'feudal system', saying he and his colleagues would do everything possible to destroy it.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Fear as police summon Russian blogger http://www.europeansources.info/record/fear-as-police-summon-russian-blogger/

Wikipedia: Alexey Navalny http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexey_Navalny

Deutsche Welle, 23.04.13: Russia's 'politically motivated' Navalny trial http://www.dw.de/russias-politically-motivated-navalny-trial/a-16749638

Deutsche Welle, 24.04.13: Alexei Navalny - the man behind the trial http://www.dw.de/alexei-navalny-the-man-behind-the-trial/a-16765165

BBC News, 05.07.13: Prosecutors seek six years for Putin opponent Navalny http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23194444

RIA Novosti, 06.07.13: Navalny Blasts Russia’s ‘Feudal System’ in Court Remarks http://en.rian.ru/russia/20130706/182087236/Navalny-Blasts-Russias-Feudal-System-in-Court-Remarks.html

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