My accusers 'will burn in hell': Navalny blames authorities in defamation case

Feb 21, 2021 00:25 IST

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on Saturday said during his trial on charges of defamation that authorities undermined the dignity of a World War II veteran. Prosecutors have asked the judge to order Navalny to pay a fine of about 13,000 US dollars. Navalny, who called the 94-year-old veteran and other people featured in a pro-Kremlin video last year "corrupt stooges", "people without conscience" and "traitors", has rejected the slander charges and described them as part of official efforts to disparage him. Navalny said at the hearing that his accusers "will burn in hell".