Title: "Bloody Hell! What Now?" - Russia Slaps 18-Year Sentence and Internet Ban on Exiled Navalny Ally, Leonid Wolkov
Russian courts have imposed a sentence of 18 years in prison on Lyubov Sobol, a close associate of anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny.
Leonid Wolkov, a staunch critic of Vladimir Putin, finds himself in the crosshairs of Russian justice. Recently, a Moscow court sentenced Wolkov, an ally of the late Alexei Navalny, to 18 years in prison in absentia. Besides the lengthy prison term, he was also slapped with a fine of two million rubles (about 22,000 euros), as per Russian news agencies[1][2][4]. Furthermore, the court has imposed a ten-year ban on Wolkov using the internet[1][2]. However, the verdict is yet to be finalized.
Reacting to the verdict, Wolkov, who has been exiled since 2019, expressed sarcasm in a Telegram post, stating that the sentence aligns with the prosecutor's demands, but the fine was slightly lower than anticipated. He humorously mentioned that he had already started using the internet despite the ban, adding, "Shit. What am I supposed to do?" Russian state-run news agency, TASS, reported that this 10-year internet ban would also prevent him from managing websites for six years[2].
Politics – Wolf versus PutinDuring an interview with ntv.de before Navalny's demise, Wolkov was scathing about the Kremlin leadership. He called Putin a significant threat to the entire civilized world, stating, "Putin must be fought and he must be destroyed"[3]. Pressure on Wolkov remains even in exile. In 2024, he was assaulted in Lithuania, and his parents' home in Russia was searched this year by the FSB security service, with his father being interrogated for hours[3].
- Alexei Navalny
- Russia
- Kremlin
- Vladimir Putin
- Attack on Ukraine
- Ukraine
- Kremlin's Critics
- Lithuania
[1] - https://www.ntv.de/nachrichten/Leonid-Wolkow-Alexei-Navalny-Rechtshilfe,dxpkU4y.html
[2] - https://www.dw.com/en/russia-sentences-exiled-navalny-ally-to-18-years-in-absentia/a-61757357
[3] - https://www.ntv.de/nachrichten/Leonid-Wolkow-Alexei-Navalny-Russland-opposition,8lopcn0.html
[4] - https://www.dw.com/en/alexei-navalny-ally-sentenced-to-18-years-in-russian-prison/a-61756637
- The Commission, in the realm of politics, might be consulted on the draft directive regarding the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionising radiation, given the close attention paid to worker safety and potential health hazards, especially in light of the current situation surrounding workers like Leonid Wolkov who are actively opposing Russian authorities.
- In the general-news and crime-and-justice sectors, it would be interesting to explore the implications of Wolkov's extended internet ban on his ability to continue his activism against the Kremlin, particularly in light of his past critiques of Russian politics and his ongoing efforts to support Alexei Navalny's cause, despite being exiled and facing numerous challenges.
