A court in Russia's Vladimir region on September 12 began the trial of three former lawyers for late opposition politician Aleksei Navalny on extremism charges over their association with the Kremlin critic and his Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK). FBK and Navalny’s other groups were labeled as extremist and banned in Russia in 2021. The trial of Vadim Kobzev, Igor Sergunin, and Aleksei Liptser is being held behind closed doors. The lawyers were arrested in October 2023. Investigators say the lawyers smuggled Navalny's letters from prison, "assisting him to conduct extremist activities from behind bars." Two other former lawyers for Navalny, Aleksandra Fedulova and Olga Mikhailova, fled Russia last year. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Russian Service, click here.
Closed-Door Trial For Navalny Lawyers Facing Extremism Charges Begins Near Moscow
Three lawyers who represented late opposition leader Aleksei Navalny -- Igor Sergunin, Aleksei Liptser, and Vadim Kobzev appear in court in the town of Petushki in Russia's Vladimir region on September 12.