Statement by the Spokesperson on the verdict in the trial of Alexei Navalny

The verdict of the Leninsky Court in Kirov, on the 8 February 2017 against Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny on charges of embezzlement attempted to silence yet another independent political voice in the Russian Federation.

For the European Union, this decision, which effectively excluded Mr Navalny from the political arena, further constrained political pluralism in Russia and raises serious questions as to the fairness of democratic processes in Russia.

ESO: Background information: Russia opposition leader Boris Nemtsov dies of multiple bullet wounds http://www.europeansources.info/record/russia-opposition-leader-boris-nemtsov-dies-of-multiple-bullet-wounds/

ESO: Background information: Kremlin critic Navalny re-arrested after breaking house arrest to join rally http://www.europeansources.info/record/kremlin-critic-navalny-re-arrested-after-breaking-house-arrest-to-join-rally/

ESO: Background information: Russian news agency RIA Novosti closed down / Kremlin strengthens grip on Russian media http://www.europeansources.info/record/russian-news-agency-ria-novosti-closed-down-kremlin-strengthens-grip-on-russian-media/

Euro|Topics: Debates, February 2017: Kremlin critic Navalny found guilty again http://www.eurotopics.net/en/174154/kremlin-critic-navalny-found-guilty-again

BBC News, 08.02.16: Alexei Navalny: Russian opposition leader found guilty http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38905120

Deutsche Welle, 05.02.17: Alexei Navalny wins his case in Strasbourg http://dw.com/p/2X1XK

Deutsche Welle, 08.02.17: Russian court finds Alexei Navalny guilty in embezzlement case http://dw.com/p/2X9OG

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