The trial of Russian opposition blogger Aleksei Navalny on charges of libel has been adjourned until later this month.
Moscow Deputy Mayor Maksim Liksutov filed a lawsuit against Navalny accusing the activist of "hurting his dignity and honor " by writing articles claiming Liksutov has ties to illegal businesses in Cyprus.
The trial opened in a Moscow court on August 5 and then adjourned until August 19.
In 2012, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed legislation making it a criminal offense to "knowingly disseminate false information demoting the honor and dignity or undermining the reputation of another person."
The UN Commission on Human Rights has ruled that the criminalization of libel violates freedom of expression and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Navalny is under house arrest and is being investigated for allegations of stealing and laundering $760,000 from a French cosmetics company.
Navalny says the charges are politically motivated.
