Police in Moscow arrested more than 100 people outside the Kremlin last night after protests at the jailing of the brother of Russias most prominent opposition leader. SHARE Alexei Navalny, an anti-corruption campaigner and one of the most vociferous public critics of President Vladimir Putins government, was given a three-and-a-half-year suspended sentence for fraud yesterday. However, his brother and co-defendant Oleg Navalny was jailed for the same period. Demonstrators denounced the imprisonment as a transparent attempt to silence criticism of the Kremlin as the Russian economy stumbles. What are you putting him away for? Mr Navalny shouted in the Moscow courtroom after the verdicts were read. Is that a way for you to punish me? Outside the court, he said: Of all the possible sentences today, this was the most disgusting and despicable. This government does not simply destroy its political opponents, but also deliberately destroys and hurts their families. I call on everyone to take to the streets today. The brothers were convicted of defrauding the French cosmetics company Yves Rocher of 27 million roubles (£304,000), even through the company has said it suffered no damages. Both denied the charges, maintaining that the case was fabricated in order to curb Mr Navalnys burgeoning career as a unifying figure in Russias fractious opposition movement. Outside the Kremlin, protesters squared up to police and government supporters. They were vastly outnumbered but, as the evening wore on, a determined hardcore of mostly young protesters remained on the square. Mr Navalny, who has been under house arrest since February, tried to attend the protest, tweeting a picture of himself on the subway. But he was detained by police and returned to his home under the supervision of the prison service. Mr Navalny will remain detained there until after an appeal is heard, his lawyer said. Oleg Navalny was jailed immediately and filed an appeal an hour after the verdict was read out. The Kremlin denies fabricating the case. Mr Putins spokesman denied that the Russian president was briefed about the verdict, saying that he learnt of the outcome only through the media. Critics, however, suggested the result seemed designed to avoid making a martyr of Mr Navalny, while putting further pressure on him by targeting a family member. The brothers arrived at court yesterday with overnight bags in readiness for a prison sentence, but the final verdict clearly came as a shock to both. More than 17,000 people had signed up to a Facebook page for the unsanctioned event by midday yesterday. Police were seen barricading the square in anticipation of the action on Monday night. Organisers will be hoping to bring out a crowd of similar scale to those who turned out during a series of anti-Kremlin demonstrations partly led by Mr Navalny three years ago. The massive demonstrations in 2011 and 2012 represented the first serious public challenge to Vladimir Putins authority since he came to power, and catapulted Mr Navalny to prominence as the most charismatic figure among Russias fractious opposition movement. ( © Daily Telegraph, London)
Posted on: Fri, 02 Jan 2015 05:03:00 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015