The trial of Navalny’s former lawyers was closed to the public
On Thursday, the court in Petushki, Vladimir region, began hearing criminal cases against the former lawyers of opposition leader Alexei Navalny — Vadym Kobzev, Alexei Liptser and Igor Sergunin. This is reported by “Mediazona”. The lawyers were charged with participating in an extremist community.
During the court session, Judge Yulia Shilova closed the process for the audience, referring to a letter from the Center for Countering Extremism (Centre “E”) about possible provocations by the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBC), which is recognized as extremist.
The lawyers have been in SIZO since October 13, 2023. According to the investigation, they, “using their status,” passed Navalny’s letters from the colony to his associates. Investigators believe that this allowed Alexei Navalny “to continue to exercise the functions of the leader and leader of the extremist community.” In 2021, the Moscow City Court recognized FBK, created by Alexei Navalny, as an extremist organization. All three lawyers were included in the list of extremists and terrorists of Rosfinmonitoring.
The trial is being held in Petushki, since Aleksey Navalny was in the colony in Petushyn district in 2022-23. The defense asked to transfer the case to Moscow, pointing out that the transfer of the accused to Petushki makes it difficult for them to meet their relatives and receive transfers.
In May, Igor Sergunyn, as reported, pleaded guilty and testified in the case.
- In addition to Kobzev, Liptser and Sergunin, two more lawyers are involved in the case – Aleksandra Fedulova and Olga Mykhaylova. They managed to leave Russia, the courts arrested them in absentia.
- In August 2023, the Moscow City Court sentenced oppositionist Alexei Navalny to 19 years of special regime in the case of creating an extremist community and several other charges. On February 16 of this year, Navalny died in a colony in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District. His associates believe that he was killed.
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