Russian opposition leader Navalny urges anti-Kremlin campaign as his new trial begins
Imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has urged his supporters to launch a new campaign against Moscow's actions in Ukraine MELEKHOVO, Russia -- Imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny urged his supporters Monday to begin a broad campaign against Moscow's actions in Ukraine as he went on trial on new charges of extremism that could keep him behind bars for decades. The trial began inside a maximum security penal colony in Melekhovo, 250 kilometers (150 miles) east of Moscow, where Navalny, 47, is serving a nine-year sentence for fraud and contempt of court — charges he says are politically motivated. Soon after it started, the judge closed the trial despite Navalny's demand to keep it open. In a statement posted on social media by his allies, Navalny declared that the decision to close the trial was a sign of fear by President Vladimir Putin, and he announced the start of a campaign against Moscow's decision to send troops to Ukraine. Navaln...