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Aleksei Navalny Verdict Protests -- Liveblog

RFE/RL is live-blogging a mass unsanctioned protest taking place near the Kremlin this evening after a Kirov court sentenced Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny to five years in a penal colony. The decision has been widely condemned as politically motivated.

Here's a quick summary of today's events
  • Aleksei Navalny and co-defendant Pytor Ofitserov are convicted by a Kirov court of embezzlement and sentenced to five and four years in jail, respectively.
  • The final post from Navalny's Twitter account after the verdict reminds supporters to gather in protest at Manezh Square in Moscow on July 18.
  • Authorities close off Manezh Square and Red Square, with hundreds of people already gathering nearby.
  • Navalny's lawyer urges Muscovites to boycott local elections in September.
  • U.S. and EU officials cast doubt on the trial and cite political motives, echoing similar accusations from rights groups.
16:26 18.7.2013
Panorama from Saint Petersburg

16:29 18.7.2013
Again, Kirov prosecutors have asked the court to reconsider Navalny's arrest today. They say he should not be jailed until the sentence goes into force.

16:33 18.7.2013
"TV Rain," a liberal cable and Internet channel, reports that Navalny will continue his campaign for mayor if he is released from prison.

16:37 18.7.2013
16:43 18.7.2013
Mikhail Gorbachev statement: Here's what I know about the case - it began, then was closed and then opened again, as seen in the proceedings -- unfortunately this confirms our lack of an independent judiciary. Without going into details, I want to say that this has left a very bad impression.
16:52 18.7.2013
A Tweet from Navalny's account -- not clear who has access to it right now:

"Thanks to all! It is a crazy feeling when you understand that you don't stand alone!"
16:54 18.7.2013
17:02 18.7.2013
RFE/RL Russian correspondent Olga Serebryanaya reports that Navalny's wife, Julia, is Tweeting from his account.
17:12 18.7.2013
Via RFE/RL Russian - Lydia Ofitserova, Pyotr Ofitersova's wife:
"My husband was sent to the front...I will wait for him and explain to our children where there father is and why. We will win. It is absolutely necessary that we win.
17:13 18.7.2013

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