BERLIN--Germany labelled Russian court sentences against top opposition leader Alexei Navalny and his brother on Tuesday "another blow against outspoken civil society" in the country.
Christoph Straesser, federal commissioner for human rights policy and humanitarian aid, said he was "concerned" about the suspended sentence for Navalny and jail term for his brother Oleg in a controversial fraud case.
He said Navalny had tried to make use of his right to free expression in a non-violent way and that he "must be allowed to continue to participate in political life".
Straesser called the court's decision "another blow against outspoken civil society in Russia" and pointed out that "it is the responsibility of the Russian government to ensure the rule of law and independence of the judiciary".
"I call on the Russian government to investigate the criticism from human rights organisations of this case and allow peaceful public protests against the ruling," he said in a statement.
AFP
