Russian state prosecutors seek fine for Kremlin critic Navalny in slander case

The West has condemned the case and is discussing possible sanctions on Russia. Navalny believes the slander case is an attempt by the Kremlin to smear his reputation.

Russian state prosecutors on Tuesday asked for Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny to be fined 950,000 roubles ($12,962) for slandering a World War Two veteran, a charge he calls politically motivated.

Navalny, President Vladimir Putin's most prominent critic, was jailed this month for almost three years for parole violations he said were trumped up. The West has condemned the case and is discussing possible sanctions on Russia.

Navalny believes the slander case is an attempt by the Kremlin to smear his reputation. The Kremlin says it does not interfere in such matters which are the preserve of the judicial system.