Imprisoned Vladimir Putin critic and Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, on Monday, called on his supporters to campaign against Moscow’s actions on Ukraine as his trial got underway on extremism charges that could land him behind bars for an additional 30 years.
Navalny’s trial took place in Penal Colony No. 6, a maximum-security facility in Melekhovo, which is located about 150 miles east of Moscow.
The anti-Russian leader is currently being held in the facility on charges of fraud and contempt of court, which he argues are politically motivated.
Although Navalny demanded a judge keep the trial open to the public, it was closed shortly after starting.
FILE – Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny prepares to speak to journalists outside a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, after his appeal against the country’s top investigative agency was rejected on Wednesday, March…