Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny jailed, declares Vladimir Putin ‘the underwear poisoner’
- The opposition figure was given a 3½-year sentence for violating the terms of his parole last year
- Navalny was arrested at the Russian border last month after returning from Germany, where he had been recovering from a poisoning attempt
A Russian court jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny on Tuesday, ignoring the West in a ruling the opposition politician blamed on President Vladimir Putin’s personal hatred and fear of him.
The Moscow court handed Navalny a 3½-year sentence, but his lawyer said the anti-corruption blogger would actually serve two years and eight months in jail because of time already spent under house arrest. His lawyers said they would appeal.
The decision, which followed nationwide protests calling for Navalny’s release, will further strain relations with the West, which is considering imposing sanctions on Russia over its handling of the case.
The United States, Britain, Germany and the EU urged Moscow to immediately free Navalny, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken saying Washington would coordinate closely with allies to hold Russia accountable.
There was Alexander the Liberator, Yaroslav the Wise, and Putin the Underwear Poisoner
Russia is already under numerous Western sanctions however, and analysts say the West’s options for more pressure are limited. A Navalny ally had urged the West before the hearing to hit Putin’s inner circle with personal sanctions.