Russia

Putin Critic Navalny Sentenced to 9 More Years In Prison

MAR 22 2022·Updated JAN 5 2023

Story

Image credit: Reuters [via The New York Times]

The Facts

Jailed Russian opposition leader and Putin critic Alexei Navalny was sentenced to 9 yrs in a high-security prison on Tues. after being convicted of fraud and contempt of court by a Moscow judge.
Forbes
The conviction stemmed from allegations that he'd embezzled funds from his own anti-corruption foundation. Russian authorities banned the organization as "extremist" last year.
The New York Times
Despite knowing he'd be arrested, Navalny returned to Russia over a year ago after receiving life-saving treatment in Germany for a poisoning attributed to the Kremlin.
Independent
Navalny and his supporters have remained vocal in their protests against Putin despite his confinement. He now faces more extreme detention measures.
The New York Times
Navalny remained defiant at his sentencing, calling upon his supporters to take action "against the deceitful and thievish Putin's regime."
The New York Times

Sources Split

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The Spin

Anti-Russia narrative

Navalny's arrest and the new charges are politically-motivated and are part of a sweeping and historic crackdown on human rights and democracy advocates under an authoritarian regime.

Raw Story

Pro-Russia narrative

Navalny is a stooge who was being used by Western intelligence agencies to further their interests in Russia, including potentially efforts to bring about regime change.

TASS