Lawyers Who Represented Alexei Navalny Go To Trial

Three lawyers who represented the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny are now on trial in Russia, facing charges of extremism.

At a Glance

Three of Navalny’s former lawyers face trial for alleged involvement with extremist groups.
The trial is seen as a move to pressure the opposition and discourage defense lawyers from taking political cases.
Proceedings are closed to the public and taking place in Petushki, 100 kilometers east of Moscow.
Navalny died in February 2023 under unexplained circumstances in a penal colony above the Arctic Circle.

Lawyers on Trial

In a move that has raised concerns about the state of justice in Russia, three lawyers who once represented the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny are now facing their own legal battle. Vadim Kobzev, Igor Sergunin, and Alexei Liptser were taken into custody last year for allegedly being involved in extremist groups, a serious allegation in the Russian legal system.

The trial, which began on Thursday, is taking place in Petushki, a town about 100 kilometers east of Moscow. This location has raised eyebrows, as the court refused to hold the proceedings in Moscow where the lawyers were held in pre-trial detention. Critics suggest this move is designed to isolate the defendants and limit public scrutiny of the case.

A trial begins for lawyers who once represented the Kremlin's late foe Alexei Navalny https://t.co/CLqqXLvBbj

— The Associated Press (@AP) September 12, 2024

Allegations and Concerns

According to reports, authorities have accused the lawyers of using their position to pass information from Navalny to his team, effectively facilitating his political activities from prison. This charge stems from a 2021 ruling that outlawed Navalny’s organizations as extremist groups, a decision widely condemned by Kremlin critics as politically motivated.

The case is widely seen as an attempt to pressure the opposition and discourage defense lawyers from taking on politically sensitive cases. Human rights advocates from Memorial, a prominent rights group, have deemed the three lawyers to be political prisoners and are calling for their release.

Navalny’s Legacy

The trial of these lawyers comes in the wake of Alexei Navalny’s death in February 2023. Navalny, an anti-corruption campaigner and outspoken opponent of President Vladimir Putin, died under unexplained circumstances in a penal colony above the Arctic Circle. His widow and team allege he was killed on Kremlin orders, a claim officials vehemently deny.

Navalny’s story is one of relentless opposition to what he saw as corruption in the Russian government. He was arrested in 2021 after returning from Germany, where he had been recuperating from a nerve agent poisoning. His sentence was later extended to 19 years after two more trials, all of which were seen by his supporters as politically motivated.

What Now?

The trial of Navalny’s lawyers raises serious questions about the state of justice and political freedom in Russia. With the proceedings closed to the public and journalists excluded, there are concerns about the transparency and fairness of the trial. As the trial unfolds, the information available will likely be followed closely by human rights organizations and international observers.