Gaunt Navalny attacks Putin as network is disbanded

Alexei Navalny has appeared in court from prison, head close-shaven and face gaunt, and accused Vladimir Putin of attempting to rule Russia "forever" and caring only about "clinging to power". 

It is the opposition politician's first public appearance since starting a 2.5-year jail term, seen as punishment for his fierce criticism of the Kremlin. 

Navalny spoke via videolink, his prison kit hanging loosely after a recent 24-day hunger strike over his treatment. 

His language was as robust as ever.

President Putin was a "king with no clothes", he said, who was "robbing the people" and depriving Russians of a future. Russians were being "turned into slaves".

The judge rejected Navalny's appeal against a fine for defaming a Soviet World War Two veteran who had appeared in a pro-Kremlin video.

But even as the Kremlin critic spoke, another court across Moscow was discussing a petition by the prosecutor to ban all his political organisations as "extremist".

Anticipating the court's ruling, Navalny's right-hand man Leonid Volkov announced that some three dozen "Navalny headquarters" were being disbanded, to protect staff and supporters from prosecution. 

The offices were set-up in 2017 ahead of Navalny's attempt to challenge Vladimir Putin for the presidency; he was barred from even joining the race. 

On Monday, the Moscow prosecutor suspended all activity by the offices, pending the court decision. The activities of Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) have also been restricted. 

"To make it clear, this decision destroys our political organisation in Russia," Leonid Volkov told the BBC this week. He was speaking from abroad, where he has lived since 2019 for safety as he faces multiple criminal charges himself. 

"There is no way we can continue to operate in the country," the activist said, adding that the extremism laws carry punishment of up to 10 years in prison.