Exiled Navalny Associate Volkov Sentenced to 18 Years in Absentia by Russian Military Court

A Russian military court sentenced Leonid Volkov, a prominent aide to the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, to 18 years in absentia on charges of extremism and wartime censorship, as reported by Russian news agencies on Wednesday.

Living in Lithuania since 2019, Volkov was placed on a wanted list in 2021 after nationwide protests demanded Navalny’s release from prison. That same year, Russian authorities labeled Navalny’s political and activist organizations as “extremist,” exposing their members and supporters to possible criminal prosecution.

The Second Western District Military Court in Moscow found Volkov guilty on over 40 counts across nine different allegations, according to Interfax.

The charges included the organization and financing of an “extremist” group, justifying terrorism, “rehabilitating Nazism,” disseminating “false information” about the Russian military, endangering minors, and establishing a non-governmental organization that supposedly infringes on citizens’ rights. He was also found guilty of fraud and vandalism.

In addition to the prison sentence, the court imposed a 2 million ruble ($25,300) fine and prohibited Volkov from accessing the internet for a decade. The sentencing, which can be appealed, will only be enforced if Volkov is extradited to Russia.

Volkov ridiculed the ruling on social media through a series of sarcastic comments, stating, “Well, what now?”

The trial took place behind closed doors. Prior reports from Russian media indicated that authorities expressed fears that Volkov’s supporters might carry out “extremist or terrorist actions” against those involved in the proceedings.

Formerly a member of the Yekaterinburg City Duma, Volkov headed Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) from 2021 to 2023. He was included in Russia’s list of “terrorists and extremists” in 2022 and subsequently labeled a “foreign agent.”