Russian opposition leader Navalny given 15-day sentence for handing out leaflets on subway

Published May 21, 2015

Russia's leading opposition figure Alexei Navalny has been sentenced to 15 days in police custody for handing out leaflets in the subway.

A district court in Moscow ruled Thursday that Navalny, an anti-corruption crusader who spearheaded protests against President Vladimir Putin's rule, violated the law when he campaigned for an unsanctioned "anti-crisis" march on March 1.

Russia is facing an economic crisis because of low oil prices and Western sanctions over Ukraine.

Navalny, the driving force behind the 2011-2012 mass protests in Moscow, is organizing anti-government protests in several Russian cities in March.

He was convicted in late December of fraud and given a 3 1/2 -year suspended sentence, and was ordered to remain under house arrest until his appeals were exhausted. He has repeatedly violated his house arrest.

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https://www.foxnews.com/world/russian-opposition-leader-navalny-given-15-day-sentence-for-handing-out-leaflets-on-subway