"I am a collector of Putin's most amazing trials." Navalny on the off-site court hearing on the fraud case

Alexei Navalny's Instagram account published a post in which the politician commented on reports that Moscow's Lefortovo Court will begin considering his new case at an off-site hearing in the Vladimir penal colony where he is being held.

According to Navalny, they decided to hold an off-site meeting because “the gang of thieves and liars led by Putin” is afraid of the politician’s statements.

They know that I have nothing but the word of truth now, but I won't be afraid to use it, even if they hang ten terms on me. That's why they want to try me in a place where you have to strip naked twice just to talk to lawyers THROUGH GLASS. That is, right in the zone. Like, say whatever you want, no one will hear you except for a service dog.

The court ruling scheduling the off-site hearing does not explain why it will be held in a penal colony, but it does note twice that it will be “open,” the politician noted.

Exemplary and even, I would say, signature hypocrisy. Like, so what? We are trying Navalny in an open trial. True, on prison grounds, but these are nuances, but we promise that everyone who manages to get into the courtroom — well, teleportation there, or jumps with a parachute and is not shot — will be able to attend. <…>

You know, I don't think they'll succeed. They're counting on not being heard. But there are you, too. Not all of Russia is scared, hiding under a snag and trembling, ready to resign itself to poverty and degradation. There are many honest people, armed, like me, with the word of truth. Millions. <…>

Not everyone will be silenced or intimidated. In Russia, and besides me, there are many who will continue to tell the truth. And if someone doesn't like it, then... like it or not - sleep, my beauty .

• Alexei Navalny has been in Penal Colony No. 2 in Pokrov since February 2021 after his suspended sentence in the Yves Rocher case was replaced with a real one.
• A visiting court hearing on the new case against Navalny, who has been accused of fraud and contempt of court , will take place on February 15.
• According to the politician's lawyer Olga Mikhailova, Navalny faces up to 10 years in prison under the new case. She did not rule out that the investigation could bring new charges against the politician under the same case.