![At new fraud trial, Navalny vows to fight on against Kremlin](https://www.portugalcolonial.pt/media/shared/articles/c1/7a/74/At-new-fraud-trial--Navalny-vows-to-004495.jpg)
-
In Papua New Guinea, Pope holds mass 'at the edge of the world'
-
Hewett stays positive for wheelchair tennis despite agonising defeat
-
Three things on US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka
-
Sabalenka downs Pegula to win US Open thriller
-
USA slump to first home defeat against Canada in 67 years
-
Argentina hand Australia record 67-27 loss in Rugby Championship
-
England impress on Carsley bow, Germany, Dutch hit five
-
AFP photographer wins top prize for Gaza coverage
-
No Love for Packers for three weeks after ligament sprain: reports
-
Pedro Almodovar: chronicler of modern Spain crowned in Venice
-
Trump sounds dark tone at rally, Harris 'ready' for debate
-
Wirtz and Musiala dazzle to kick-start new Germany era
-
Chinese teenager takes 7th gold of Paris Paralympics
-
England interim boss Carsley 'respects' divided opinions over anthem
-
Neuville moves to the front in the Acropolis Rally
-
Garfield, Pugh charm Toronto in new romance 'We Live in Time'
-
21 boys confirmed dead in Kenya school inferno
-
Over 100,000 protest in France against new prime minister
-
Golden 30 minutes takes China to swimming Paralympics swimming domination
-
Green leads Australia to T20 series sweep of Scotland
-
Nigeria, Cameroon win afer chaotic AFCON build-ups
-
Nicole Kidman: A-lister, cinematic chameleon, wins in Venice
-
'I had to prove myself', says Kolisi after win against All Blacks
-
Almodovar wins top prize at Venice film festival
-
Grealish savours England redemption after 'worst summer'
-
Carsley makes flying start as England interim boss in win over Ireland
-
Springboks close on Rugby Championship with storming win over All Blacks
-
Sri Lanka's De Silva and Kamindu Mendis defy England in third Test
-
Farrell's Racing lose on opening day of Top 14
-
Dunbar takes second Vuelta stage as Roglic closes in on victory
-
Fritz eyes US Open glory to end 21 years of American hurt
-
Thousands protest in France against new prime minister
-
Trump to hold rally in swing state, Harris preps for debate
-
Stone at the double as Sri Lanka collapse against England in third Test
-
French tennis player takes legal action over online abuse
-
Italy backs Kyiv's 'legitimate defence' as Zelensky presses allies
-
The Body Shop rescued from administration after deal
-
Smoke and screams: The horror of Kenya's school dorm inferno
-
MotoGP leader Martin roars to victory in San Marino sprint
-
Ireland and UK to 'reset' relations as Starmer begins Dublin visit
-
Ma Lin turns brutal encounter with bear into glorious Paralympic career
-
Flintoff appointed England Lions head coach
-
Sri Lanka hit back as Pope falls during England collapse in second Test
-
Kyiv hits Russian ammo depot as Moscow advances in east
-
Italy PM states 'determined' support as Zelensky presses allies
-
Bagnaia claims pole for San Marino MotoGP with lap record
-
Meet the Woodhalls: Track and field couple light up Paralympics and Olympics
-
Gaza war in its 12th month with truce hopes slim
-
Boeing's beleaguered Starliner returns home without astronauts
-
Super Typhoon Yagi hits Vietnam after killing two in China
![At new fraud trial, Navalny vows to fight on against Kremlin](https://www.portugalcolonial.pt/media/shared/articles/c1/7a/74/At-new-fraud-trial--Navalny-vows-to-004495.jpg)
At new fraud trial, Navalny vows to fight on against Kremlin
Imprisoned Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny said Tuesday he would keep challenging Russia's leadership during the opening of a new fraud trial that could extend his jail term by more than a decade.
Navalny appeared at the beginning of the hearing via video link wearing a prison uniform and flanked by guards at the makeshift court inside his penal colony, smiling and embracing his wife.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the new case was "incompatible" with the rule of law, speaking during a press conference with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
The 45-year-old opposition leader has already been behind bars for a year, after surviving a poison attack he blames on the Kremlin.
He is serving out a two-and-a-half year sentence on old embezzlement charges, but the fresh charges could see his time behind bars significantly extended.
"You're going to increase my term indefinitely. What can we do about it?" Navalny said during the court hearing.
"The activities of people are more important than the fate of one individual. I'm not afraid."
The new case was launched in December 2020, when Navalny was recovering in Germany after a poisoning attack with Soviet-designed poison.
The Russian authorities have repeatedly any involvement.
- 'Illegal persecution' -
Rights groups have criticised authorities for holding the closed-door hearing inside the maximum-security prison in Pokrov, some 100 kilometres (60 miles) east of Moscow.
Investigators accuse Navalny of stealing for personal use more than $4.7 million in donations that were given to his political organisations. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
A prosecutor during the trial accused Navalny and his allies of "misleading citizens" with the "deliberate" aim of stealing funds.
Navalny grew a wide following among liberal-leaning Russians with videos exposing the corruption among the elite. Many of the investigations gained millions of views online.
Navalny's allies decried the trial as a sham and his lawyer said it came as part of Kremlin efforts to remove him from political life.
"We believe the persecution of Navalny is illegal, is distinctly political in nature, and aimed at discrediting and removing him from political activity," lawyer Olga Mikhailova said.
- 'Incompatible' with rule of law -
The start of the trial comes during a week of intensive talks between Russia and the West over Ukraine, with Scholz the latest leader in Moscow for talks with Putin.
During a press conference with the Russian leader, Scholz condemned legal proceedings against Navalny, following appeals earlier from the opposition leader's allies to raise his case with Putin.
"My position on the Navalny case is very clear: his judgement is incompatible with the principles of the rule of law and I have expressed this view on many occasions," Scholz said.
Navalny was treated by doctors in Berlin and Germany blamed his near-fatal poisoning on the Kremlin. Former chancellor, Angela Merkel, used her final visit to Moscow last year to ask Putin to free Navalny.
On the eve of the hearing Amnesty International criticised the "sham trial, attended by prison guards rather than the media".
"It's obvious that the Russian authorities intend to ensure that Navalny doesn't leave prison any time soon," it said on Monday.
Navalny's poisoning and arrest sparked widespread condemnation abroad as well as sanctions from Western capitals.
After his arrest, Navalny's political organisations across the country were declared "extremist" and shuttered, while many key aides fled Russia fearing prosecution.
G.Teles--PC