AP, Moscow :
Alexei Navalny, the anti-corruption campaigner who is a leading foe of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was found guilty of fraud and given a suspended sentence of three and a half years on Tuesday.
The verdict was to have been announced next month, but the court session was abruptly moved forward, leading to speculation that authorities wanted to impede possible protests if he is convicted. The verdict comes as Russians are preparing for New Year’s and Orthodox Christmas.
Navalny and his brother Oleg were convicted of defrauding a cosmetics company. Oleg Navalny was also convicted on Tuesday and sentenced to the same prison term, but his was not suspended.
“You want to punish me, but why are you putting him in jail?” Alexei Navalny shouted at the judge.
The brothers had both arrived at the courtroom with luggage, indicating they expected to be immediately sent to incarceration.
Alexei Navalny, the anti-corruption campaigner who is a leading foe of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was found guilty of fraud and given a suspended sentence of three and a half years on Tuesday.
The verdict was to have been announced next month, but the court session was abruptly moved forward, leading to speculation that authorities wanted to impede possible protests if he is convicted. The verdict comes as Russians are preparing for New Year’s and Orthodox Christmas.
Navalny and his brother Oleg were convicted of defrauding a cosmetics company. Oleg Navalny was also convicted on Tuesday and sentenced to the same prison term, but his was not suspended.
“You want to punish me, but why are you putting him in jail?” Alexei Navalny shouted at the judge.
The brothers had both arrived at the courtroom with luggage, indicating they expected to be immediately sent to incarceration.
