Russia slams ‘interference’ from European Court of Human Rights over demands to free jailed opposition figure Alexey Navalny — RT

 Moscow has rejected a ruling by judges in Strasbourg, who have ordered the immediate release of anti-corruption campaigner Alexey Navalny from a Russian prison, where he is facing a three-and-a-half year sentence for fraud.

In a letter to the opposition figure’s lawyer, Olga Mikhailova, published by his supporters on Wednesday, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) confirmed that it had ruled in his favor.

The day before, the statement says, “a Chamber of Seven judges of the Court decided… to indicate to the Government of Russia… to release the applicant. This measure shall apply with immediate effect.”

The clerks add that the ruling had taken into account “the nature and extent of risk to the applicant’s life… and [was] seen in the light of the overall circumstances of the applicant’s current detention.” Failure to release Navalny, they say, would entail a breach under international law.