Former Soviet leader condemns Navalny verdict

Former president of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev says he condemns the persecution of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny.

The statement by Gorbachev came after a court in Kirov found Navalny guilty of embezzlement and sentenced him to 5 years in prison. 

The case is believed by the Russian opposition, international watchdogs, including Amnesty International, the Europen Union and the USA to be politically motivated. US Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul said on Twitter yesterday that his country deplored the verdict and was deeply concerned about Navalny's future.