Alexei Navalny stands trial for timber embezzlement
Whistleblowing blogger turned opposition leader Alexei Navalny is charged with the theft of over 10,000 cubic meters of timber, which was allegedly stolen from Kirovles company between May and September 2009. If convicted Navalny faces up to ten years in prison. The case was initially dropped, but was revived when an inquiry was launched by Investigative Committee Chairman Alexander Bastrykin.
The Kirovles embezzlement case reached the Leninsky District Court in the town of Kirov in late March. Investigators have opened three other criminal cases against Navalny, on charges of embezzling from a political party, deceiving an international cosmetics company and conspiring to privatize a central Russia distillery illegally.
Vyatka Timber Company Director Pyotr Ofitserov and whistleblowing blogger Alexei Navalny in the Leninsky District Court in the town of Kirov
Posters in Kirov calling to support Alexei Navalny as he stands trial.
A number of well-known opposition activists and politicians have turned out in support of Navalny, including leftist politician Boris Nemtsov.
Navalny's wife Yulia was among the supporters along with well-known opposition activists and politicians.
