The Petushki District Court in Vladimir Oblast has sentenced three former lawyers of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny—Vadim Kobzev, Alexei Liptser, and Igor Sergunin—to prison terms ranging from three-and-a-half to five-and-a-half years.
The court found them guilty under Article 282.1, Part 2 of the Russian Criminal Code, which pertains to participation in an extremist organisation, as reported by Mediazona.
Sentences and Charges
Kobzev received the harshest sentence, with five-and-a-half years in a penal colony, followed by Liptser with five years and Sergunin with three-and-a-half years. Additionally, the court barred all three from practising law for three years following their release.
The charges stem from allegations that the lawyers facilitated the transfer of Navalny’s letters from prison to his allies. According to the prosecution, these actions enabled Navalny to continue communicating with members of what Russian authorities have classified as an extremist organisation. Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) and associated regional networks were designated as extremist in June 2021.
Closed Trial and Timeline
The trial was conducted behind closed doors, with closing arguments delivered on 24 December 2024. The defendants gave their final statements on 10 January 2025. Despite being originally scheduled for that day, the sentencing was delayed and eventually took place on 17 January, coinciding with the anniversary of Navalny’s return to Russia and subsequent imprisonment in 2021—a timing described as deliberate by FBK Director Ivan Zhdanov.
Kobzev, Liptser, and Sergunin were detained in Moscow in October 2023 and have remained in pre-trial detention since. The prosecution argued that they used their status as lawyers to ensure the regular transfer of information between Navalny and his allies, which they claimed sustained the operations of the so-called extremist organisation.
Broader Implications and Reactions
Two additional lawyers associated with Navalny—Olga Mikhailova and Alexander Fedulov—were also implicated in the case but were tried in absentia, having left Russia before proceedings began. All five lawyers have been placed on the Rosfinmonitoring list of extremists and terrorists.
Supporters of the defendants criticised the trial and sentencing as politically motivated. After the verdict was announced, attendees in the courtroom expressed their support, labelling the lawyers as “heroes” and denouncing the authorities.
Context and Media Suppression
The trial and its outcome have raised concerns among human rights organisations and international observers. The handling of the case reflects broader trends of increased repression in Russia, particularly against those associated with Navalny and his anti-corruption initiatives. The sentencing also comes amid a broader crackdown on dissent and restrictions on media coverage.
Ahead of the trial, several journalists arriving in Petushki to cover the case were detained by local police. Among those held was Mikhail Lebedev of SotaVision, who, along with others, was reportedly detained under the pretext of verifying his identity. All were released after being questioned.
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