Surprise release of Kremlin critic to fight election
Source: Agencies |
July 20, 2013, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
A RUSSIAN court yesterday released opposition leader Alexei Navalny from custody less than 24 hours after he was convicted of embezzlement and sentenced to five years in prison.
It followed a surprise request by prosecutors, who said that because Navalny is a candidate in this fall's Moscow mayoral race keeping him in custody would deny him his right to seek election.
The release, under the condition that Navalny not travel outside Moscow, will extend until appeals of his conviction are completed.
After yesterday's decision, a smiling Navalny emerged from the caged-off defendants' section of the courtroom and thanked supporters who held protest rallies on Thursday after his conviction.
Navalny began his rise to prominence by blogging about his investigations into corruption at state-owned companies.
The blog quickly became an Internet sensation, not only because of Navalny's exposures but because of its engaging illustrations, funny images and witty catchphrases. It was Navalny who first called the dominant United Russia party "the party of crooks and thieves."
It followed a surprise request by prosecutors, who said that because Navalny is a candidate in this fall's Moscow mayoral race keeping him in custody would deny him his right to seek election.
The release, under the condition that Navalny not travel outside Moscow, will extend until appeals of his conviction are completed.
After yesterday's decision, a smiling Navalny emerged from the caged-off defendants' section of the courtroom and thanked supporters who held protest rallies on Thursday after his conviction.
Navalny began his rise to prominence by blogging about his investigations into corruption at state-owned companies.
The blog quickly became an Internet sensation, not only because of Navalny's exposures but because of its engaging illustrations, funny images and witty catchphrases. It was Navalny who first called the dominant United Russia party "the party of crooks and thieves."
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