The Russian opposition leader appeared in court for the first time since the hunger strike, looking thin and weak • The court refused to shorten Navalny's sentence
The vague villain in his appearance in court // Photo: AP
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has appeared in court for the first time since a hunger strike began in the penal colony of Boldimir in which he was imprisoned after being convicted of violating the terms of his release from a previous criminal case when he received life-saving medical treatment in Germany following an assassination attempt.
The court hearing was scheduled in advance and Navalny was charged with insulting a World War II fighter, a case that the local prosecution had advanced in order to punish the opposition leader.
Pictures of Nabalani from the discussion have been blurred but it can be seen that he is skinny and pale.
Navalny, who looked thin and weak, took the opportunity to be heard and told the judges: "I looked at myself and I looked like a terrible skeleton. The last time I weighed 72 kilograms was in seventh grade."
Navalny attacked Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying "the king is naked," calling the judges and prosecutors "traitors."
Navalny, who stopped his hunger strike after authorities conceded and gave him access to external medical care, said: "Yesterday I ate four tablespoons of porridge. Today I ate five. Tomorrow I will try to eat six.
The court decided not to shorten Navalny's sentence due to his medical condition and even refused to transfer him to a less stringent detention facility to allow him to recover.
Navalny's lawyer, Olga Mikhailova, said: "Navalny will appeal the decision to the European Court. He has lost a lot of weight after starving himself, but he is clear and determined."
