Navalny prosecutors demand fine for veteran insult | Abroad

In Russia, the Second World War is known as the Great Patriotic War. Veterans from that war have an almost untouchable status in society. Criticism of them is seen as unacceptable.

This form of defamation is now punishable by up to two years in prison, but the facts at issue took place before the legislator imposed a prison sentence. Navalni, 44, called the case against him during the trial “legal nonsense” and described the prosecution’s evidence as forgeries.

Navalni is already in jail for another case. He was arrested on January 17 after his return from Germany for allegedly violating the conditions for his parole. Since his arrest in January, there have been fierce protests across the country for his release that have been crushed. According to The Moscow Times, the protest is spreading in more and more places and growing as a result of the chronic economic problems of many Russians. They use the demonstrations of the Navalni supporters to also express their grievances. More than 11,000 people have been detained in recent weeks of protests.

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