Russian Opposition Leader Navalny Remains in Jail

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Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has unsuccessfully appealed against his detention. The judge decided on Thursday that the politician will remain in prison for the time being.

Navalny is still in custody but faces years of imprisonment. Authorities arrested him this month at an airport in Moscow.

He had spent months in Germany after being poisoned in his home country. There, the authorities now accuse him of not complying with the conditions of a suspended prison sentence during that period.

The opposition leader complained that he was only allowed to have limited contact with his lawyer during the appeal. He would not have been allowed to speak privately with the lawyer since his arrest. The judge then decided to let the duo talk for five minutes via a video connection.

Navalny’s arrest is causing unrest in Russia. Tens of thousands of supporters took to the streets last weekend to demand the prominent Kremlin critic’s release.

The police then arrested an estimated 4,000 people. Still, the opposition has called for new protests. These should be held next Sunday, including at the headquarters of the FSB security service.

Security forces raided Navalny’s Moscow apartment on Wednesday. They also searched the home where the opposition leader’s wife was staying, his employee’s report. Those raids are said to be related to an investigation into corona violations during the major demonstrations.