The trial of three lawyers who previously represented late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has commenced in Russia. Vadim Kobzev, Igor Sergunin, and Alexei Liptser were arrested in October 2023 on charges of involvement with an extremist group. The trial is being held in Petushki, a town located about 100 kilometers east of Moscow in the Vladimir region.
According to Navalny’s allies, the lawyers are accused of using their roles as defense attorneys to pass letters from Navalny to his team, allegedly acting as intermediaries between Navalny and his designated “extremist group.” Navalny’s organizations, including the Foundation for Fighting Corruption and a network of regional offices, were declared extremist groups in 2021, exposing anyone associated with them to legal repercussions.
Navalny, who was serving a 19-year prison sentence on various criminal convictions, passed away in February 2024 while in custody. His death was attributed by his team and widow to be a Kremlin-ordered murder, a claim that officials have denied. The lawyers' trial is seen as part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Russia, particularly targeting individuals linked to Navalny.
Following Navalny’s death, Russian authorities added two more of his lawyers to a wanted list. Olga Mikhailova, who had represented Navalny for a decade, revealed that she had been charged in absentia with extremism after leaving the country. Another lawyer, Alexander Fedulov, confirmed that he was no longer in Russia.
For many political prisoners in Russia, legal visits from lawyers are crucial for maintaining contact with loved ones and addressing potential abuses by prison officials, especially in remote regions. The trial of Navalny’s former lawyers underscores the ongoing challenges faced by those advocating for human rights and political freedoms in Russia.
