LONDON, Aug 4, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - Britain on Friday criticised Russia for sentencing opposition leader Alexei Navalny to 19 years in prison on extremism charges, arguing "dissent cannot be silenced" and demanding "his immediate release".

"His abuse shows Russia's complete disregard for even the most basic of human rights," British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly tweeted, hours after Navalny was handed the sentence following a trial at the penal colony where he is held.