Russian opposition leader Alexei Nalvany was released one day after a court in the city of Kirov found him guilty of misappropriating about $500,000 in a lumber deal when he was an advisor to the region's governor, CNN reported. The 37-year-old is one of Russian's President Vladimir Putin's fiercest critics. He predicted he would be convicted to prevent him from running for mayor of Moscow, but denies any kind of wrongdoing. His conviction, some claim, is Putin's attempt to silence another critic of his presidency.
"Regarding my participation in the elections, I am not some kind of a kitten or a puppy to whom they first say it can't participate in the elections and then they say, 'let's release him for a while so he can participate in the elections,' " Nalvany said.
In posts on his Twitter feed, Navalny thanked his supporters, saying their determination had helped bring about the release of himself and fellow defendant Pyotr Ofitserov. "Thank you everyone who came to protest in Moscow and other cities in the country. "If we want and start doing -- then we'll have fair elections. If we want and start doing -- a real fight with corruption will start," he tweeted."We are already wanting strongly and have been doing for a while. We gather money, we talk to people, we go to protests, we do what is called 'politics in which all are welcome to participate.' "
Navany's conviction and sentencing brought worldwide condemnation. Catherine Ashton, the European Union's top diplomat called the trial a sham. Mikhail Gorbachev, the former Soviet Union leader said the case " "unfortunately confirms that we do not have an independent judiciary." Mass protests preceded Nalvany's release on bail.
Nalvany's face presence has been prominent in street protests throughout Russia in recent years, attacking government corruption and Putin's heavy-handed grip on power.
"Navalny's prosecution is meant to silence a leader and messenger," Rachel Denber, deputy director of Human Rights Watch's Europe and Central Asia division said.
President Putin has a list of opposition figures, including journalists, oligarchs and politicians who all have agreed that his brand of rule is endemic to Russian society.
