Navalny may run for Moscow mayor if he is released - opinion
MOSCOW/KIROV. July 18 (Interfax) - Opposition activist Alexei Navalny may take part in the Moscow mayoral election if he is released from custody, a source familiar with the situation told Interfax.
"By law, the only impediment to participation in an election campaign is a final conviction. This has not happened to Navalny so far and prosecutors think he may be released with travel restrictions, which means he may continue his election campaign," the source said.
Besides, Moscow election laws give immunity to a registered mayoral candidate from administrative and criminal prosecution for the election campaign period, he said.
"It is unknown how soon the cassation panel will hear the Navalny case, i.e. the appeal of his defense. So, it is quite possible that the opposition co-leader may have an election campaign of full value," he said.
The Kirov Leninsky District Court sentenced Navalny on Thursday to five years in prison on the counts of an embezzlement from Kirovles. He was taken into custody in the courtroom. The sentence is still to enter into force.