A court in Moscow arrested two lawyers of Alexei Navalny in absentia

The Basmanny District Court of Moscow arrested in absentia the lawyers Olga Mykhaylova and Alexander Fedulov, who previously defended opposition leader Alexei Navalny. They are accused of participating in an extremist community. This is reported by “Mediazona”.

Mykhailova and Fedulov are outside Russia. Earlier they were declared wanted. According to the investigation, Mikhailova “continues criminal activity” while abroad.

In October 2023, three of Navalny’s lawyers – Vadym Kobzev, Alexey Liptser and Igor Sergunin – were arrested in the case of the extremist community. All of them are also accused of participating in the extremist community. Punishment under this article provides either a large fine or imprisonment for up to six years. According to the investigation, the lawyers, visiting the politician in the colony, “ensured the regular transfer of information between the leaders, members of the extremist community and Navalny”.

• Alexey Navalny was convicted in a case of fraud, as well as a number of other charges, including the creation of an extremist community, which Russia recognized, in particular, as the “Fighting Corruption Foundation”. Navalny is serving a 19-year sentence in a penal colony. The oppositionist calls his persecution political, the same opinion is held by human rights defenders and representatives of Western countries.