5 Jul 2013 16:53

Opposition plans action in Navalny's support in Moscow

MOSCOW. July 5 (Interfax) - Russian opposition groups plan to hold a demonstration in Moscow in support of prominent anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny in Moscow.

The Leninsky District Court in Kirov announced on Friday that it would hand down a sentence on Navalny in the criminal case concerning alleged embezzlement at the state timber company Kirovles on July 18. Prosecutors asked the court to find Navalny guilty of organizing large-scale embezzlement by a group of people and to sentence him to six years in prison. Navalny's defense team insists on his acquittal.

"Most likely, a decision will be made on holding a major action in Navalny's support on July 20," Opposition Coordination Council member Pyotr Tsarkov told Interfax on Friday.

"The Protest Action Committee will make a final decision," he said.

Asked about the format of the protest demonstration, Tsarkov replied, "This will be subject to discussion."

The opposition plans to file a notification on its plans to hold a demonstration with the city administration next week.