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The internationally controversial trial of a long imprisonment against the Kremlin opponent Alexej Navalny began under an unprecedented police presence.
Among others, Navalny's wife Julia Navalnaya came to court, wearing a black face mask.
Navalny stood in a glass case in the courtroom and spoke to his wife, as reported by the Internet channel Doschd.
“They showed you on TV in my cell and said that you constantly disturb the public order.
Bad girl!
I'm proud of you, "he said accordingly.
Navalnaya was last arrested twice during the protests.
The Russian penal system has demanded a three and a half year prison sentence for Navalny.
The 44-year-old had violated probation conditions in previous criminal proceedings and violated the obligation to report to the Russian authorities a total of seven times, the court said.
Navalny barely survived an assassination attempt in August - now he's on trial again
Source: AFP / HANDOUT
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In addition, the prison system demanded a fine of 500,000 rubles (5400 euros), as Russian agencies reported from the courtroom on Tuesday.
The prison system had previously stated that it wanted to convert Navalny’s suspended sentence from the controversial 2014 trial into real custody.
The approach is criticized as politically motivated.
Even before the trial, the state authorities were preparing against protests by Nawalny's supporters.
Many people were picked up at random, a reporter from the German press agency reported on the spot on Tuesday.
Mounted policemen were also part of the Russian police force
Source: dpa / Alexander Zemlianichenko
Julia Navalnaya appeared at the trial of her husband with a black mouth and nose covering
Source: AFP / NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA
A policeman stands guard in front of the courthouse
Source: dpa / Alexander Zemlianichenko
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AFP news agency reporters saw large numbers of security forces cracking down on Navalny supporters.
The non-governmental organization OVD-Info announced on Tuesday that 120 people had been taken into custody.
The Moscow City Court was guarded by hundreds of the Omon special police, who specialize in counter-terrorism operations.
The area was largely cordoned off with metal bars.
The state power prepared itself against protests by Nawalny's supporters.
There were also police officers on horseback in front of the court.
Access roads to the courthouse were also closed, and numerous prisoner transporters were waiting.
Many experts see the process as a new attempt to silence the opponents of Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin.
Navalny only barely survived an assassination attempt with the internationally banned chemical agent Novichok in August.
The 44-year-old blames Putin and agents of the Russian domestic secret service FSB for the attack.
Navalny sees the trial as the Kremlin's punishment for not dying.
Putin and the FSB had rejected the allegations of the attack.