Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was also found guilty of fraud in a new case on Tuesday. As a result, the prominent critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin risks another 13 years in prison, but it could take several hours before the sentence is also known.
According to the court, Navalny has pushed back millions of euros from donors.
“Navalny has committed fraud, theft of other people’s property by an organized gang,” Judge Margarita Kotova said as the verdict was read. The court sat in the penal colony where Navalny has been imprisoned for well over a year now.
Like human rights organizations, Navalny’s defence argued that this is again a political process and that he committed no violations. Instead, he is said to have funnelled more than $40 million in donations to his anti-corruption organizations for his own expenses and a presidential campaign.
In addition, the opposition leader was also found guilty of contempt of justice in another case. Last year he would have insulted a judge in a case about, according to the justice, insulting statements made by Navalny about a war veteran.
His previous conviction, for which he has now been incarcerated in a penal colony 100 km from Moscow, goes back to controversial charges almost a decade ago. In that case, he was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. He is accused of more and more criminal offences.