Russia's highest court extends the detention of three lawyers who previously represented regime critic Alexei Navalny.
The lawyers Vadim Kobzev, Igor Sergunin, and Alexei Lipster were arrested in October last year and are accused of "extremism". Among other things, the lawyers are said to have forwarded letters from the imprisoned Navalny to his staff within his anti-corruption movement – which in turn is classified as an extremist group by Russian authorities.
The lawyers' lawyers also wanted the trial to be moved from the Vladimir region, as the court is considered biased in the cases. Representatives of the three imprisoned individuals also claim that the lawyers were forced to hand over confidential documentation, following a court decision, shortly before Navalny's death in a penal colony.
Navalny, in turn, was sentenced to over 30 years in prison for extremism.
The court rejected both the request for release and the change of court location.
