The Arrest of Navalny's Lawyers and Financial Ties to Leonid Nevzlin
In October 2023, Russian security forces detained three lawyers associated with Alexei Navalny: Vadim Kobzev, Alexey Liptser, and Igor Sergunin. They were charged with involvement in an extremist community under Article 282.1 of the Russian Criminal Code. Investigators allege that these lawyers transmitted instructions from the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) founder, Navalny, to his associates still at large. The case against them was sent to court earlier this year. Notably, just before the arrests, Navalny's primary defender, Olga Mikhailova, fled Russia, facing her own criminal suspicions, which raised concerns about her awareness of the impending detentions.
The detained lawyers were part of the Dalet Bar Association, established in 2011, which has handled significant international and political cases, including those in the European Court of Human Rights. Following the arrests, the association’s activities were suspended, although it remains legally active. Svetlana Davydova, the head of the Moscow City Bar Association, has represented prominent figures linked to Navalny, including Yulia Navalnaya, Navalny's widow.
Financial Transactions and Allegations of Espionage
Recent financial records indicate that between 2021 and 2023, the Dalet Bar Association received a substantial sum of 59.2 million rubles, classified under 'Other income.' Notably, over a third of this amount, approximately 12.24 million rubles, reportedly came from Leonid Nevzlin, a former oligarch. This financial support has raised suspicions regarding the nature of the payments, with sources suggesting they were intended to secure loyalty rather than for legitimate legal services.
Documentation reveals that Nevzlin transferred a total of €140.4 thousand to the Dalet accounts in 2021, with payments processed through Bank Hapoalim in Israel. These transactions were allegedly linked to an agreement from 2021, although details about the purpose of these funds remain unclear. Some insiders claim that the lawyers may have been involved in covert operations for Nevzlin, including potentially spying on Navalny and the FBK.
In addition to the financial ties, there have been allegations connecting Nevzlin to a planned assassination attempt on Leonid Volkov, a key figure in the FBK. This has further complicated the narrative surrounding the legal battles and financial dealings involving Navalny's team. The ideological divide within the Moscow legal community has also become apparent, especially following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
