PETUSHKI, Russia, Jan 10, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - A Russian court was to issue
guilty verdicts Friday in an "extremism" trial against three lawyers who
worked for Alexei Navalny, escalating a crackdown against the Kremlin
critic's allies even after his death.

The charismatic opposition leader brought tens of thousands onto the streets
to protest against President Vladimir Putin, while his investigations into
the hidden wealth of Putin's inner circle racked up millions of views online
-- drawing scorn and retribution from the Kremlin.

Following his death in an Arctic prison colony almost one year ago, Russian
authorities have targeted Navalny's allies and relatives, most of whom had
already fled abroad.

A hearing in the trial against lawyers Vadim Kobzev, Alexei Liptser and Igor
Sergunin is scheduled for 10:00 am (0700 GMT) in the Vladimir region, east of
Moscow where Navalny spent over a year in a penal colony.

The trio, arrested in October 2023, are accused of participating in an
"extremist" organisation, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of six
years in jail.

Before his death in February 2024, Navalny condemned the arrest of the
lawyers as "outrageous", calling it part of a campaign to further isolate him
in jail.

The trial opened in September in Petushki, a town about 115 kilometres (72
miles) east of Moscow. The judge ruled to move it behind closed doors with
only the sentencing -- expected Friday -- open to media.

Acquittals are practically unheard of in Russian courts, especially in
political cases.

- 'Savage sentences' -

Investigators accused the lawyers of "using their status" to pass messages
between Navalny and his associates, helping the Kremlin critic continue his
outlawed political activity from behind bars.

While in prison, Navalny communicated with the outside world through lawyers,
with his comments on everything from criticism of Russia's military offensive
on Ukraine to tongue-in-cheek dispatches of daily life in prison regularly
being posted on his social media channels.

Sergunin pleaded guilty, independent media reported, while Kobzev and Liptser
rejected the charges.

Kobzev was the most high-profile member of Navalny's legal team defending him
in court. He also released statements on Navalny's health in prison.

Prosecutors are demanding jail terms of at least five years for all three.

Amnesty International urged Russia to halt the "arbitrary prosecution" of the
lawyers.

Another member of Navalny's former legal team, Olga Mikhailova, who is in
exile, wrote on Instagram that prosecutors are demanding "savage" sentences
for lawyers who "honestly and professionally defended Navalny for many
years".

Navalny died in unclear circumstances in the prison colony where he was
serving a 19-year sentence for leading an "extremist" organisation.

Since his death, Russian authorities have escalated a campaign against his
backers, allies and family -- arresting journalists who covered his court
hearings and adding his wife, Yulia Navalnaya, to a "terrorists and
extremists" blacklist.

Russia in 2021 banned Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation, known for
investigations into the alleged corruption of Putin's officials, labelling it
an "extremist" organisation.

The Meduza independent news site reported in October that while Navalny was
behind bars, prison staff read his lawyers' paperwork and took steps to
prevent him passing them documents.

The Kremlin has rejected accusations from Navalny's allies and wife that
Putin ordered him killed in jail.

He nearly died in 2020 after being poisoned on a campaign trip to Siberia
ahead of regional elections.

An investigation by Navalny's team, Western and independent Russian media
outlets connected the assassination attempt to agents from Russia's FSB
security service.

The West and Moscow were in talks about freeing Navalny in a prisoner
exchange when he died. Several of his associates were later freed in the
eventual deal.