Russian opposition leader Navalny released from prison

Alexei Navalny, freed after 15 days, vows to continue activities despite murder of fellow Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov.

Opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been released from prison after serving a 15-day sentence for distributing leaflets for an opposition rally on the subway.

A court had earlier rejected his plea for early release to attend the funeral on Tuesday of murdered Putin critic Boris Nemtsov.

On his release on Friday, Navalny said that Nemtsov’s murder would not frighten him, and would not affect his opposition activities.

“We will not lessen our efforts, we will not change anything, and in this sense, the act of terror that took place will not achieve its aims,” he said.

“I think that today I will go with someone to Boris’ grave, and I will get on with my usual work.”

Nemtsov was shot dead not far from the Kremlin last Friday in what many in the opposition believe was reprisal for his unrelenting criticism of President Vladimir Putin.

No suspects have yet been detained in connection with the killing.

Navalny was previously convicted in late December of fraud, given a three-and-a-half-year suspended sentence and ordered to remain under house arrest until his appeals were exhausted.

He has repeatedly violated his house arrest since then.

Navalny’s brother was also imprisoned under the verdict.

Source: Al Jazeera, AP