MOSCOW, December 29 (RAPSI) – Moscow's Zamoskvoretsky District Court will pass sentence on opposition activist Alexei Navalny in the Yves Rocher embezzlement case on December 30, RAPSI learnt in the court on Monday.

The sentence hearing was initially scheduled for January 15, three days after the end of lengthy New Year holidays.

It was re-scheduled as a judge presiding over the case got ready with the sentencing remarks earlier than anticipated, RAPSI was told in the court.

Navalny and his brother Oleg stand accused in a fraud case involving cosmetics company Yves Rocher Vostok. Investigators allege that the Navalny brothers embezzled up to 26 million rubles (about $436,200) from the cosmetics company, as well as close to 4 million rubles ($67,200) from the Multidisciplinary Processing Company by way of a fraud scheme. The brothers were further charged with having laundered 21 million rubles ($352,300).

Alexei Navalny has been already given a suspended sentence of five years for the embezzlement of funds from Kirovles Company.

Alexei Navalny is a Russian political and public figure, leader of the Party of Progress. He ran for Moscow mayor and is the author of one of the most popular political blogs that was banned for promoting unauthorized public protests.