Russian Investigative Committee recommends Navalny ‘take action’ to get lawyer after three of his lawyers arrested
Alexey Navalny says he has received a letter from the Russian Investigative Committee informing him of his required participation in an impending investigation with the “mocking” added suggestion that he “take action to procure a lawyer” if he does not have one. Three of Navalny’s lawyers — Alexey Liptser, Igor Sergunin, and Vadim Kobzev — were arrested on October 13 and charged with participating in an “extremist community.” A fourth lawyer, Alexander Fedulov, left the country after his colleagues’ arrests.
On October 17, the Kovrov City Court started considering Navalny’s claims against Penal Colony No. 6 in the Vladimir region; however, Navalny has no lawyers, reports Mediazona. He was connected by video, but could not hear anything as the sound was disabled to prevent him from communicating with the press.
Speaking to the court, Navalny called the arrest of his lawyers “flagrant and lawless” and said that they were being persecuted because of their professional work. After mentioning the Investigative Committee’s letter, Navalny asked how he could be expected to “take action” when he does not know what is happening with his lawyers and is isolated with no information. Navalny added that he has the right to “engage in political activity” and to say he is “against Vladimir Putin.”
When Navalny mentioned the Russian president, the judge interrupted and told him to stay on topic.
