A Russian court sentenced 26-year-old Ukrainian Irina Navalnaya to eight years in prison Monday for allegedly plotting a bomb attack on the day Russia claimed to annex four Ukrainian regions, the independent news website Mediazona reported, citing her lawyer.
Navalnaya was detained by Russian-installed authorities in occupied Mariupol in September 2022, accused of attempted terrorism and illegal explosives storage. Prosecutors alleged she conspired with Ukrainian special services to detonate a device at the Russian-installed administration building on September 27, during Russia’s disputed annexation referendum.
“This case raises serious concerns about due process in Russian-occupied territories,” said human rights lawyer Maria Popova. “The allegations of torture and coerced confessions are particularly troubling.”
Navalnaya, who briefly evacuated Mariupol during Russia’s 2022 siege before returning, later accused police of torturing her into a false confession. Ukrainian authorities have declared her a prisoner of war, according to her mother.
The Southern Military District Court in Rostov-on-Don found Navalnaya guilty, sentencing her to a general-security penal colony. Prosecutors had sought a 14-year sentence and a 400,000-ruble ($4,100) fine.
Navalnaya’s lawyer, Ivan Bondarenko, told Mediazona the prosecution’s case weakened after a key witness recanted testimony. “This ruined the testimony of the other two witnesses,” Bondarenko said, vowing to appeal the sentence.
“Eight years in our reality is a ‘compliment’ from the court. Everyone understands it, but they can’t acquit her,” he added, highlighting the political nature of such trials.
The case underscores the complex legal landscape in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories and raises questions about the treatment of Ukrainian civilians under Russian control.
Navalnaya is not related to late Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, despite the surname similarity.
themoscowtimes.com
