Russian rights official says Navalnyy sentence could have dramatic consequences

(Interfax – Moscow, July 18, 2013) Russian human rights commissioner Vladimir Lukin hopes that the appeal will lead to a serious change in the sentence given to opposition activist Aleksey Navalnyy, whom a court in Kirov jailed for five years.

“I have no right to comment on the political aspect of the events. However, there will, most likely, be an appeal against the case (verdict). And if it does not lead to serious changes in the announced sentence, given the history of the issue, quite a substantial part of society (the Navalnyy case – Interfax) will view it as a settling of scores,” Lukin told Interfax on Thursday (18 July).

“It could have radical consequences for relations between the authorities and society,” the ombudsman said.

“Excessive use of one’s own folly is not rare of course, however very frequent abuse of it could cost us all very dearly,” said Lukin.

“What is currently happening in Moscow and other cities – St Petersburg and Kirov – is very important for the future of the country,” said the ombudsman.

A court in Kirov on Thursday jailed Navalnyy for five years having found him guilty of theft from Kirovles enterprise. The sentence caused outrage among opposition politicians, public figures and rights activists. Protests are taking place in Moscow, St Petersburg and a number of other cities.