Russia: Goals and Implications of the Navalny Verdict

An upcoming verdict in the prosecution of a key opposition figure in Russia will cap the first major political show-trial in recent years not to have majority support among the Russian public, and the Kremlin is struggling to control domestic reactions to the case. Alexei Navalny, a lawyer, blogger and whistleblower who regularly publishes information about corruption in the Kremlin, is facing up to six years in prison on fraud and embezzlement charges, and a conviction seems likely to be handed down in a regional court in Kirov on July 18.

The decision will carry considerable domestic political implications, since Navalny is attempting to run in the Moscow mayoral election in September. Already, the trial has highlighted Russia's lack of concern about its reputation in the West, which generally supports Navalny and the opposition movements. This, along with a recent shift away from certain economic liberalization reforms, indicates that Russia is feeling increasingly confident about executing political and economic moves at home that may not be popular abroad.