Alexei Navalny convicted to five years in jail only to be released on recognizance

Kirov Oblast Court found Russian activist’s guilt fully proved; however, he considered his protest appeal and released him on recognizance. He will stay at large until sentence comes into full force.

The judge saw no political motives behind the harassment of the lawyer.

The Lenin district court of Kirov also considered Piotr Ofitserov guilty. He is sentenced to 4 years of imprisonment. Both subjects of the "Kirovles case" were accused under Article 160 of the Russian Criminal Code (embezzlement). The article prescribes up to 10 years of imprisonment.

Both convicts have been arrested right in the court hall, Euroradio reports.

Navalny's father, lawyers and about 50 journalists were present in the court hall. Navalny was broadcasting his sentence via Twitter: "Okay. Don't miss me too much. And - most important - don't idle, the toad won't drop from the oil pipe itself”.

Kirov Oblast Court considered their appeals on July 19. They protested against their arrest. It was announced that they could stay at large until the sentence came into power. They were released on recognizance. Head of the President’s Human Rights Council Mikhail Fedotov agreed to it: “The old Soviet tradition of arresting the convict in the court room hardly corresponds to the current Constitution.”

Navalny’s adherents had organized mass protest actions before the sentence was pronounced, during which about 200 people were detained.