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Trial of Russian activist Alexei Navalny resumes Russian activist Alexei Navalny denounces his trial
(about 7 hours later)
The trial on embezzlement charges of one of Russia's leading opposition figures, Alexei Navalny, has resumed. Leading Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny, who is on trial for embezzlement, has called on the judge to throw out the case against him.
Mr Navalny is accused of involvement in the misappropriation of 16m roubles (£300,000; $500,000) from a state timber firm he advised while working for the governor of the Kirov region. In his first defence statement, he said the case's primary purpose was "pushing me out of the legal political field".
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 claimed it was ordered by President Vladimir Putin, whose United Russia party he has denounced as corrupt.
He has called the charges "absurd". Mr Navalny is accused of involvement in the misappropriation of $500,000 (£300,000) from a state timber company.
In a recent interview with the BBC, Mr Navalny accused Mr Putin of personally ordering his prosecution in an effort to discredit him. The 36-year-old activist faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
'Tendentious' 'Politically motivated'
Addressing the court after pleading not guilty, Mr Navalny said the charges were revenge for his exposure of high-level corruption and were intended to prevent him from running for office.
"The most important reason for this case's existence... is pushing me out of the legal political field," he said. "This case is absolutely politically motivated and fabricated.
"It is political revenge for the activities of me and my supporters. In particular our campaign to vote for any party but United Russia. It is revenge for that campaign, and the next one, aimed at preventing the election of President Putin, who seized power illegally."
Mr Navalny's trial in the city of Kirov, about 900km (560 miles) north-east of Moscow, began a week ago but was quickly adjourned after his lawyers said they needed more time to read the case files.Mr Navalny's trial in the city of Kirov, about 900km (560 miles) north-east of Moscow, began a week ago but was quickly adjourned after his lawyers said they needed more time to read the case files.
The trial resumed on Wednesday but was twice adjourned as the judge withdrew to consider requests by the defence to send the case back to prosecutors, citing violations by the investigators. The trial resumed on Wednesday but was twice adjourned as Judge Sergei Blinov withdrew to consider requests by the defence to send the case back to prosecutors, citing a lack of specifics and inconsistencies.
Speaking to reporters after the judge ordered the second recess, Mr Navalny denounced the case against him. Mr Navalny's lawyer, Olga Mikhailova, also argued that the judge should recuse himself, saying that in just two days of the trial he had already "sided with the prosecutors and in fact acted as a 'defence lawyer' for the prosecutors, who had failed to conduct a proper investigation and shape up the indictment".
"It's raw, it's tendentious, there are different numbers cited everywhere, different amounts of timber are mentioned, and so on," he said. However, the judge dismissed the motion, stating: "The claims by the defence that this court is limiting their rights are unfounded."
He also insisted his innocence would be apparent even if he was convicted. Also on trial is Pyotr Ofitserov, who ran the timber company which Mr Navalny advised while working for the governor of the Kirov region in 2009. Prosecutors alleged in March that the two defendants had also defrauded the firm.
"At the end of the trial, we will certainly win. I'm sure that a lack of guilt will be established. Even if it is not formally acknowledged by the court, it will be clear for everyone who attends the trial."
Outside, a Navalny supporter put up a large sign saying: "Putin is a thief."
Aside from the embezzlement charges, three other criminal cases have been opened against Mr Navalny.Aside from the embezzlement charges, three other criminal cases have been opened against Mr Navalny.
Last Thursday, the federal Investigative Committee announced that he and his brother were suspected of organising a 3.8m-rouble (£79,000; $121,000) fraud involving mail deliveries in 2008.Last Thursday, the federal Investigative Committee announced that he and his brother were suspected of organising a 3.8m-rouble (£79,000; $121,000) fraud involving mail deliveries in 2008.
A spokeswoman for the activist said the latest allegations were the authorities' "reaction to the massive public support that we're receiving".A spokeswoman for the activist said the latest allegations were the authorities' "reaction to the massive public support that we're receiving".
'Crackdown'
Mr Navalny is the most high-profile opposition figure to be tried since anti-Putin protests 16 months ago, which saw the biggest demonstrations in Moscow since the fall of the USSR.Mr Navalny is the most high-profile opposition figure to be tried since anti-Putin protests 16 months ago, which saw the biggest demonstrations in Moscow since the fall of the USSR.
Since Mr Putin's re-election in March 2011, legal action against opposition figures has increased markedly. Tough laws have been passed on public order offences and tight curbs placed on non-governmental organisations.Since Mr Putin's re-election in March 2011, legal action against opposition figures has increased markedly. Tough laws have been passed on public order offences and tight curbs placed on non-governmental organisations.
Analysts say Mr Navalny's conviction would be a major blow to an opposition which for years suffered the lack of a central figure or platform.Analysts say Mr Navalny's conviction would be a major blow to an opposition which for years suffered the lack of a central figure or platform.
Mr Navalny's case is highlighted in a report published by Human Rights Watch, which warns that Russia is violating its international human rights commitments. Two leading human rights organisations published reports on Wednesday condemning President Putin's clampdown on democratic freedoms - a year into his third term.
"The new laws and government harassment are pushing civil society activists to the margins of the law," said Hugh Williamson, the group's Europe and Central Asia director. "The government crackdown is hurting Russian society and harming Russia's international standing." The separate reports by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International express concern over a "witch hunt" against political activists and NGOs.
"Russia's international partners should leave no doubt about the seriousness with which they view the crackdown underway in Russia, and impress upon Moscow the urgent need to stop abuses," he added. Amnesty spokesman John Dalhuisen warned: "Civil society risks being suffocated and isolated not behind an iron curtain, but a legal one."
Mr Navalny's case is highlighted by yHuman Rights Watch, which warns that Russia is violating its international human rights commitments.
"Russia's international partners should leave no doubt about the seriousness with which they view the crackdown under way in Russia, and impress upon Moscow the urgent need to stop abuses," said Hugh Williamson, HRW's Europe and Central Asia director.