19 Jul 2013 19:39

Putin knows about Navalny's conviction, prefers not to comment - spokesman

NOVOGORSK, Moscow region. July 19 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin is aware of opposition activist Alexei Navalny's conviction but prefers to refrain from commenting on it, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"The president is traditionally aware of all news, and absolutely all news is reported to him, both from the media and from relevant agencies. At the same time, it is well known that the president does not make and cannot make any judgments about court rulings. Court rulings need to be respected. This is a law," Peskov told journalists in commenting on Navalny's conviction.