A Kirov court has dismissed a request filed by Alexei Navalny's lawyer to grant the defense more time to review court transcripts of the trial that saw the opposition activist sentenced to five years in prison for embezzlement pending an appeal.
The court earlier extended the term from Sept. 2 to Sept. 6 but on Tuesday dismissed a further extension until Oct. 1. The final deadline to review the documents has now been set for Sept. 10, RIA Novosti reported, after which the defense team will have to file its objections and plead its case against the conviction in court.
Navalny and co-defendant Pyotr Ofitserov were convicted on July 18 on charges of stealing 10,000 cubic meters of timber during Navalny's time as adviser to Kirov Governor Nikita Belykh in 2009.
Navalny was released on bail mere weeks before Moscow's mayoral election, in what the authorities say was a move to grant all candidates an equal opportunity in the race for the voters' favor. Navalny won 27 percent of Sunday's vote, placing second to incumbent Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, who collected 51 percent, according to election officials.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
