Demo in Estonia demands Navalny acquittal
TALLINN. July 20 (Interfax) - Several dozen people marched through Tallinn on Saturday showing support for Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was found guilty of theft by a Russian court and sentenced to five years' imprisonment on Thursday.
The demonstration had been organized by Eeri-Niiles Kross, a candidate for Tallinn mayor who styles himself a "security expert," and the youth wing of the European People's Party. The organizers said the event had brought together about 100 young politicians from 32 countries.
The demonstrators went through the historic part of Estonia's capital to the Russian Embassy and held a picket outside the building.
"Navalny's acquittal," said Kross, "would determine Russian policy for subsequent years because there is no other opposition politician there who would be able to achieve election results that were taken seriously."
Navalny is accused of organizing the alleged theft of timber from state-owned company Kirovles. He was released on Friday morning for the 10-day period during which he is allowed to appeal his sentence.
He said he would not withdraw his candidacy for Moscow mayor despite his conviction.
