In a ruling from Moscow city court today The court bans organizations founded by imprisoned critic of the regime Alexei Navalny. The organizations are now branded as extremist, and means that those who have worked for Navalny’s organizations can be prosecuted and imprisoned.
The same can those who have given the organizations financial contributions, or shared group material.
Following the verdict, Dagbladet has interviewed the well-known defense lawyer Ilya Novikov. He defended convicted spy Frode Berg, and has recently been part of the group of lawyers who have defended Navalny and his organizations in court.
DEFENDED MOUNTAINS: Ilya Novikov (right) defended convicted spy Frode Berg. Here from when the verdict against Berg fell in 2019. Photo: Henning Lillegård / Dagbladet
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– Closer to a dictatorship
Novikov is not in the least surprised by the outcome in the Moscow city court, and says that Navalny’s lawyer left the court in protest.
– We are not surprised, of course. My colleagues left the court after the final speech to demonstrate their disagreement in the way the court handled the case, Novikov told Dagbladet.
– What does this say about Russian authorities?
– That it comes closer to a dictatorship, like Belarus, without all the democratic facade.
He says that the court hearing lasted for over twelve hours, and went behind closed doors. The press and all outsiders were not even allowed to be in the court building itself when the court hearing took place.
It is not uncommon for high-profile trials to take place behind closed doors in Russia, but it is unusual for the press not even to be allowed in the courthouse.
When Frode Berg was convicted of espionage in April 2019, the Norwegian press was allowed to be in the same courthouse, but had to be in the hallway until the verdict was handed down.
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Engaged after arrest
Novikov became involved in the defense of Navalny’s organizations after Ivan Pavlov, who defended Navalny’s organizations, was arrested on April 30 this year.
Pavlov is suspected of having leaked conditional information. He denies the allegations, and believes he is politically persecuted by the Russian security police FSB – the heir to the Soviet KGB.
When asked by Dagbladet whether Novikov is now worried about becoming a target, the lawyer answers:
Should get a visit – was gone
– It is possible that it will happen, but I am not afraid. We will continue anyway.
Novikov has previously said that he contributes to the defense of Navalny and his organizations in solidarity with Pavlov.
Already, the defense team of Navalny and his lawyers have filed an appeal.
