Russia’s leading opposition figure Alexei Navalny was sentenced Thursday to 15 days in custody for handing out leaflets in the subway.
A district court in Moscow ruled Thursday that Navalny, an anti-corruption crusader who spearheaded protests against President Vladimir Putin’s rule, violated the law when he campaigned on the subway for an unauthorized “anti-crisis” march on March 1.
Russia is facing a severe economic downturn because of low oil prices and Western sanctions over Ukraine.
Navalny denied the accusations of breaking the law and argued that they were intended to prevent him from organizing the demonstration.
“We need to put pressure on the government …read more
Source: The Indian Express