We strongly disagree with sentencing Alexei Navalny to 5 years in jail in a politically motivated trial by Kirov court. He should be released immediately and face a retrial by another court with his rights as a defendant fully respected.
We urge leaders of the European Union: President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Comission José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz and The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Baroness Catherine Ashton as well as all the leaders of the respective national states to take action and demand in a strongest possible words release of Alexei Navalny from prison.
Mocked trials are no way of dealing with the opposition in any civilized country. If Russia wants to be a respected member of international order it should respect a rule of law and basic human rights at home. We believe that Navalny case could be a turning point in a struggle for a free democratic and non-corrupt state Russia deserves.