MOSCOW – The trial of opposition figure and anticorruption blogger Aleksei Navalny has resumed in the central Russian city of Kirov.
On May 15, Kirov Oblast Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Shcherchkov testified that Navalny could not have stolen lumber from the Kirovles company because he lacked the authority at the firm to carry out such a scheme.
Navalny is accused of embezzling the equivalent of $510,000 from the lumber company while he was working for the governor of Kirov Oblast.
The court declined Navalny's request to declare last week's search of his Kirov office illegal.
His lawyer, Olga Mikhailova, reiterated the defense's view that the case is politically motivated.
The trial was adjourned until May 16.
Navalny is a vocal opponent of Russian President Vladimir Putin and has expressed an interest in running for president.
On May 15, Kirov Oblast Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Shcherchkov testified that Navalny could not have stolen lumber from the Kirovles company because he lacked the authority at the firm to carry out such a scheme.
Navalny is accused of embezzling the equivalent of $510,000 from the lumber company while he was working for the governor of Kirov Oblast.
The court declined Navalny's request to declare last week's search of his Kirov office illegal.
His lawyer, Olga Mikhailova, reiterated the defense's view that the case is politically motivated.
The trial was adjourned until May 16.
Navalny is a vocal opponent of Russian President Vladimir Putin and has expressed an interest in running for president.
