Russian Court Sentences Alexei Navalny to 19 More Years in Harsh Prison Regime in Closed-Door Trial

In a closed-door trial at a penal colony in Melekhovo, Russia, opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been sentenced to a further 19 years in prison. The court found him guilty on six counts, including inciting and financing extremism, creating an illegal NGO, the rehabilitation of Nazism, and inciting children to dangerous acts. These charges have been widely decried as politically motivated and aimed at silencing Putin's critic. The special prison regime Navalny is sentenced to will impose severe restrictions on communication with the outside world and severely limit his ability to lead the opposition movement in Russia. His supporters have faced arrests and accusations of supporting an "extremist" movement. Navalny's message to the public calls for resistance against the Kremlin, stating that the purpose of the sentence is to intimidate the people. With Putin potentially extending his presidency until 2036, critics fear Russia's increasing repression will further silence opposition voices and dissent in the country.