Russian court jails three of Navalny's former lawyers for 'extremist' activity

NEWS WIRES

17 January 2025 at 9:47 am·1-min read

Lawyers Igor Sergunin, from left, Alexei Liptser and Vadim Kobzev, who once represented late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, stand in a courtroom in Petushki, east of Moscow, on January 17, 2025.

Three lawyers for the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny were found guilty by a Russian court on Friday of participating in an "extremist organisation" and sentenced to years in jail.

Russia on Friday sentenced three lawyers who had defended Alexei Navalny to several years in prison for bringing messages from the late opposition leader from prison to the outside world.

The case, which comes amid a massive crackdown on dissent during the Ukraine offensive, has alarmed rights groups who fear Moscow will ramp up trials against legal representatives in addition to jailing their clients.

The Kremlin has sought to punish Navalny's associates even after his unexplained death in an Arctic prison colony last February.

Vadim Kobzev, Alexei Liptser and Igor Sergunin were found guilty of participating in an "extremist organisation" by a court in the town of Petushki.

Kobzev, the most high-profile member of Navalny's legal team, was given five and a half years, while Liptser was handed five and Sergunin three and a half years.

They were almost the only people visiting Navalny in prison while he served his 19-year sentence.

Navalny, Putin's main political opponent, communicated with the world by transmitting messages through his lawyers, which his team then published on social media.

Passing letters and messages through lawyers is a normal practice in Russian prisons.

Australian Associated Press
Hockeyroos, Kookaburras beaten in final Sydney outings
The Hockeyroos and Kookaburras have wrapped up their Sydney legs of the Pro League with defeats to China and the Netherlands, respectively.
Australian Associated Press
Trump says he spoke to Putin about ending Ukraine war
The Kremlin has neither confirmed nor denied reports US President Donald Trump has spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin about ending the war in Ukraine.
Australian Associated Press
Japanese rugby top-of-table clash ends in stalemate
The Saitama Wild Knights and Brave Lupus Tokyo have fought out an enthralling 28-28 draw in the top-of-the-table clash in Japan Rugby League One.
Australian Associated Press
Western United 'disappointed' with Bulls draw in ALM
Western United have moved into third on the ALM table but been left wondering what may have been after a late equaliser earned Macarthur FC a 2-2 draw.
Australian Associated Press
Player of the series Smith downplays elbow issue
Steve Smith has been named player of the series against Sri Lanka after his resurgence continued with two blistering centuries.
Australian Associated Press
New Zealander Geary claims hard-fought Vic Open win
Josh Geary has won the men's Vic Open by four shots - and was one of three New Zealanders in the top five.
Australian Associated Press
Wanderers stun Roar, Western United beat Sydney in ALW
Holly Caspers has come off the bench to lead Western Sydney to a win over Brisbane, while Western United beat Sydney FC despite missing a second-half penalty.
Australian Associated Press
Aussies sweep Sri Lanka to cap brilliant Test summer
Australia have convincingly won their second Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle to confirm a rare series victory on the subcontinent.
Australian Associated Press
Su Oh has tamed strong winds to win the Vic Open
Australian Su Oh has claimed an unlikely come-from-behind one-shot victory in the women's Vic Open at 13th Beach.
Australian Associated Press
Kosovo heads to election amid tensions with Serbia
Voters in the small Balkan country of Kosovo are heading to the polls in Europe's newest country, which gained independence from Serbia in 2008.
Australian Associated Press
Great Britain win Sydney SailGP, with Aussies in third
Great Britain have won the SailGP event on Sydney Harbour to take the outright lead in the standings, with Australia third in the final behind Canada.
Australian Associated Press
Ecuador president set for poll win on security promises
Daniel Noboa, who says his security measures and the military have reduced violent deaths, is expected to retain office in Ecuador's presidential election.
Australian Associated Press
Redbacks quick nabs best figures in WA Shield win
Western Australia's bid to win a fourth consecutive Sheffield Shield title is hanging by a thread after suffering an embarrassing home loss to South Australia.
Australian Associated Press
Konstas fails but Edwards ton rescues NSW against Bulls
NSW captain Jack Edwards has posted his third first-class century to get his team out of trouble in their Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland at the Gabba.
Australian Associated Press
Debutant Dixon fires for Vics against Tasmania
Victoria's Harry Dixon has become the second teen debutant to score his maiden first-class half-century in the Sheffield Shield clash with Tasmania.
Australian Associated Press
Du Plessis breaks Strickland's nose in UFC beat-down
South African Dricus Du Plessis has retained his middleweight belt with a unanimous points win over a battered, bloodied Sean Strickland at UFC 312 in Sydney.
Australian Associated Press
Brancatisano fires Flames into WNBL finals spot
The WNBL top four is set after the Sydney Flames beat the UC Capitals and Adelaide Lightning were beaten by Southside Flyers in the penultimate round.
Australian Associated Press
Davis injury clouds Mavs debut after seismic NBA trade
Anthony Davis made a strong early impression in his Dallas Mavericks debut as fans vented over the trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Australian Associated Press
Wright makes surfing history with Pipe Pro double
Australia's Tyler Wright has made surfing history, becoming the first woman to win Hawaii's iconic Pipe Pro event twice.
Australian Associated Press
Namibia's 'founding father' Sam Nujoma dies aged 95
Sam Nujoma, the anti-apartheid activist who served three terms as the first president of Namibia from 1990 to 2005, has died at the age of 95.

Latest stories