Erstellt am: 18. 7. 2013 - 14:08 Uhr

Russia's rough justice

Reality Check: Navalny verdict, EU and Egypt.

Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny has been sentenced to 5 years in prison for embezzelment, in a trial that is widely been seen as highly political.

EPA/VALENTINA SVISTUNOVA

Alexei Navalny and his associate, businessman Peter Ofitsterov, were found guilty of embessling half a million dollars from a state timber company.

Navalny's nationalist platform is controversial among Mr Putin's more liberal opponents, while the far right treat him with suspcion for being too westernised. Either way, he has long been seen as a thorn in the flesh of the Kremlin - and whether or not people support his views, there is certainly widespread anger a the way he has been treated.

The conviction was widely expected. In a trial of this nature, acquittals are almost unheard of - but Navalny is still expected to appeal. His plans to run for Mayor of Moscow would be scuppered if he were to be serving a prison sentence, but while his is taking the long and winding road throught the Russian legal system, he is still technically eligible.

In today's Reality Check, Charles Maynes reports from Moscow on the trial and the planned protests against the verdict.

EU and Egypt

The EU Foreign Affairs and Security representative, Catherine Ashton, has been in Cairo for talks with the new Egyptian leadership and with protest leaders.

Vanessa Mock reports from Brussels on the role the EU might be able to play in getting Egypt back to political stability.

FM4 Reality Check

Monday to Friday from 12.00 to 14.00, and after the show via Podcast or fm4.orf.at/realitycheck.