Putin Critic Navalny Sentenced To 19 More Yrs In Prison, UN Rights Chief Condemns 'Judicial Harassment'

Turk voiced renewed serious concerns about the "judicial harassment and instrumentalization" of Russia's court system for political purposes, citing the latest sentence imposed on Navalny.

Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny went on trial on June 19 on "extremism" charges that could see his prison time extended for decades, as the Kremlin moves to silence dissenting voices.

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The United Nations rights chief, Volker Turk, expressed strong criticism on Friday regarding a Russian court's ruling that sentenced jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny to 19 years in prison, urging his immediate release. In a statement, Turk voiced renewed serious concerns about the "judicial harassment and instrumentalisation" of Russia's court system for political purposes, citing the latest sentence imposed on Navalny, news agency AFP reported. 

The 19-year sentence, based on broad and vague charges of "extremism," followed a closed trial conducted within the prison where Navalny is already serving two other sentences totaling 11 and a half years. 

According to Turk, countries are obligated under international human rights law to uphold the full range of fair trial and due process rights for all individuals detained. He urged the Russian authorities to uphold their end of the bargain by immediately ending violations of Navalny's human rights and releasing him, the report said. 

Navalny was apprehended in 2021 after returning to Moscow from Germany, where he was recovering from a poisoning attack he blames on the Kremlin.

According to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navalny's recent sentence is part of Russia's escalating repression of free expression and political opposition, it said. 

Furthermore, Turk stated that since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February of last year, approximately 20,000 people have been arrested across the country for various anti-war actions, including social media posts. Some people have been imprisoned for allegedly disseminating false information about the Russian military, and hundreds have been fined for doing so.

Moreover, Turk noted an alarming increase in the use of espionage and treason charges to convict people who are simply exercising their human rights, according to the report. He demanded the immediate release of all those arbitrarily detained. The situation has drew international attention and condemnation, prompting calls for Russian authorities to address these violations of human rights and ensure a fair and just legal system for all.