02:22Dozens of Russian activists gathered in London to demand the release of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny as he celebrated his 47th birthday behind bars on Sunday.
The demonstrators were seen gathered outside the Russian embassy holding placards with messages such as ‘Free all political prisoners' and ‘Free Navalny, Free Russia’.
"We believe that true Russia is not the country of oppression but the country of freedom, not the country of colonialism and militarism, but the country that will promote peace and prosperity for its own citizens,” an activist told the crowd.
“I believe that Alexei Navalny, Ilya Yashin, Vladimir Kara-Mursa, and many many others who are unlawfully punished by this criminal regime, are true Russia," he continued.
"No matter how tough life gets, you must continue to believe in yourself and your dreams. You will win, we will win. Russia will be free," added a second demonstrator.
Thousands of Russian activists have reportedly taken to the streets in cities across the world on Navalny’s birthday to demand his release.
In late March 2022, Moscow's Lefortovsky Court sentenced Navalny to nine years in a strict regime penal colony for embezzlement and contempt of court.
Investigators claimed the politician had stolen more than 350 million roubles donated to an anti-corruption fund. The contempt charge related to Navalny insulting a judge while on trial for slandering World War II veteran Ignat Artyomenko.
Navalny was arrested on January 17, 2021, as he returned from Germany, where he had been recovering from an alleged poisoning incident. He was later sentenced to three and a half years in a penal colony for violating the terms of his probation.
The politician and his supporters deny all the charges against him and claim they are politically motivated.
UK: 'Russia will be free' - Activists rally in London to demand release of Kremlin critic Navalny
Dozens of Russian activists gathered in London to demand the release of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny as he celebrated his 47th birthday behind bars on Sunday.
The demonstrators were seen gathered outside the Russian embassy holding placards with messages such as ‘Free all political prisoners' and ‘Free Navalny, Free Russia’.
"We believe that true Russia is not the country of oppression but the country of freedom, not the country of colonialism and militarism, but the country that will promote peace and prosperity for its own citizens,” an activist told the crowd.
“I believe that Alexei Navalny, Ilya Yashin, Vladimir Kara-Mursa, and many many others who are unlawfully punished by this criminal regime, are true Russia," he continued.
"No matter how tough life gets, you must continue to believe in yourself and your dreams. You will win, we will win. Russia will be free," added a second demonstrator.
Thousands of Russian activists have reportedly taken to the streets in cities across the world on Navalny’s birthday to demand his release.
In late March 2022, Moscow's Lefortovsky Court sentenced Navalny to nine years in a strict regime penal colony for embezzlement and contempt of court.
Investigators claimed the politician had stolen more than 350 million roubles donated to an anti-corruption fund. The contempt charge related to Navalny insulting a judge while on trial for slandering World War II veteran Ignat Artyomenko.
Navalny was arrested on January 17, 2021, as he returned from Germany, where he had been recovering from an alleged poisoning incident. He was later sentenced to three and a half years in a penal colony for violating the terms of his probation.
The politician and his supporters deny all the charges against him and claim they are politically motivated.
Dozens of Russian activists gathered in London to demand the release of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny as he celebrated his 47th birthday behind bars on Sunday.
The demonstrators were seen gathered outside the Russian embassy holding placards with messages such as ‘Free all political prisoners' and ‘Free Navalny, Free Russia’.
"We believe that true Russia is not the country of oppression but the country of freedom, not the country of colonialism and militarism, but the country that will promote peace and prosperity for its own citizens,” an activist told the crowd.
“I believe that Alexei Navalny, Ilya Yashin, Vladimir Kara-Mursa, and many many others who are unlawfully punished by this criminal regime, are true Russia," he continued.
"No matter how tough life gets, you must continue to believe in yourself and your dreams. You will win, we will win. Russia will be free," added a second demonstrator.
Thousands of Russian activists have reportedly taken to the streets in cities across the world on Navalny’s birthday to demand his release.
In late March 2022, Moscow's Lefortovsky Court sentenced Navalny to nine years in a strict regime penal colony for embezzlement and contempt of court.
Investigators claimed the politician had stolen more than 350 million roubles donated to an anti-corruption fund. The contempt charge related to Navalny insulting a judge while on trial for slandering World War II veteran Ignat Artyomenko.
Navalny was arrested on January 17, 2021, as he returned from Germany, where he had been recovering from an alleged poisoning incident. He was later sentenced to three and a half years in a penal colony for violating the terms of his probation.
The politician and his supporters deny all the charges against him and claim they are politically motivated.