Anti-corruption blogger Navalny sentenced to 5 years behind bars

He exposed the ruling party, or, to be more accurate, the "cream of the crop" of this party who, through numerous schemes, suck money from Russia and from taxpayers' money). He was widely regarded as an annoyance to Putin and his friends (all of whom became billionaires).

Navalny did nothing wrong and is a real patriot of the country, but unfortunately the Law doesn't work in Russia because Putin directly or indirectly controls it all.

This trial is a theater and was only done to deprive Navalny of any future political activities (several weeks ago the very same party passed a law that prohibits convicted people from being elected anywhere). The judge built this trial on top of the words (with no proof) of an executive of this company (who obviously have been forced to slander Navalny and who said during the trial that "I don't remember the exact details, but Navalny is guilty". It became so funny that the prosection had to read to this executive what he has to say during the trial). The judge barred more than 10 witnesses of the defense, and basically didn't allow the defense to present any evidence that implies Navalny's innocence (independent audit reports, for example). Judges who find guilty otherwise innocent opposition members get awarded with appartments and get another luxurious incentives.

It wasn't a trial, it was a circus. But hey, even circuses have better and more professional clowns.

Contrary to that, people of the western world still believe that they can oppose an abusive government in courts and by voting for another government.

Also, in Russian mentality, it is not important if you committed any crime or not, it is more important if you were smart enough to not get jailed or not. Because nearly everyone who is politically or economically active commits crimes (which carries no stigma and is part of the system), and nearly everyone can be jailed either having committed a crime or not. So nobody thinks of degree or existence of any crimes he might have committed. This is not a part of the question. It is about being stupid enough to raise too much government's anger, not not leaving country in time.

That's how Russia works (and Mr. Putin has nothing to do about this, that was the norm long before him and once the system might eat himself in exactly the same way). I doubt he even benefits from this much.