Kremlin critic Navalny loses appeal against nine-year sentence

In late March, Navalny had his jail time extended to nine years

Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny on Tuesday lost his legal appeal against a nine-year prison sentence that he and his allies condemn as politically motivated.

His sentencing came as Moscow pushes on with its military offensive in neighbouring Ukraine and Russian authorities seek to silence remaining government critics.

President Vladimir Putin's arch-critic appeared before the court via video-link from behind bars at his prison colony outside Moscow.

During the hearing, he dismissed his trial as "meaningless", saying: "I despise your court, your system."

"I am ready to sit in jail to prove that not everyone in Russia is like this."

Navalny used his final words to condemn the Kremlin and its military campaign in Ukraine.

"One crazy thief has seized hold of Ukraine, and no one understands what he wants to do with it".

In late March, Navalny had his jail time extended to nine years after he was found guilty of embezzling donations to his political organisations and contempt of court.

The new sentence will replace the one he was handed in February 2021, meaning Navalny will remain behind bars for another eight years.

- Prisoners 'tortured' -

His lawyer Olga Mikhailova told the court the sentence should be annulled as it is "unjust" and "contradicts international law".

"Alexei often said there was a threat to his life, so we will be going there," she said.

Navalny wrote on Telegram earlier this month that he heard Penal Colony No. 6 in the town of Melekhovo in the Vladimir region east of Moscow was being prepared for his arrival.

Mikhailova warned that Navalny faces further criminal cases and while there have been "masses of international court rulings" in his favour, "nothing works, he's still not freed".

Navalny rose to prominence as an anti-corruption blogger and, before his imprisonment, mobilised anti-government protests across Russia.

He was arrested last year on his return from treatment in Germany, sparking widespread condemnation abroad and sanctions from Western capitals.

Navalny's political organisations across the country have been declared "extremist" and shut down.

Navalny's team continues publishing investigations into the wealth of Russia's elites that have garnered millions of views on YouTube. 

bur/jm

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