Putin Critic Faces Ten Years in Jail

Russian prosecutors said Friday that they would seek a 10-year jail sentence for Alexei A. Navalny, the opposition leader who is considered to be the country's most prominent critic of President Vladimir Putin.

Even though critics say that this move by the Russian authorities is aimed at crushing the opposition, Navalny vowed to continue his fight against the Kremlin just like before.

The accused opposition leader, who played a key role in the mass anti-government protests in 2011 and 2012, is on trial along with his brother Oleg in Moscow for allegedly committing fraud against two firms including a French cosmetics company 'Yves Rocher' of 30 million roubles, which is equal to $500,048.

The attorney for Navalny, Olga Mikhailova, argued that "no evidence has been presented in court, in either of the episodes, that the crime even took place."

Both the defendants deny guilt in the case. Prosecutors have asked for an eight-year sentence for the brother of the opposition leader.

"Life makes no sense if you have to tolerate endless lies. I will never accept this system, which is built on lies," Alexei Navalny told the court of Putin's 15-year rule over Russia, NBC News reports. "I will not stop my fight against this junta. But there is no need to jail my brother for eight years. Taking hostages will not stop me," Navalny, a 38-year-old lawyer and anti-corruption blogger, said.

According to Sky News, Prosecutor Nadezhda Ignatova told the court: "The guilt of the defendants has been fully proven".

The judge, Yelena Korobchenko, said that she would be announcing the verdict 15 January.

"This is a battlefield between the scoundrels, who have seized power, and honest people," Navalny said, Mediazona legal news site reported.