Moscow Court Sentences Protester to 4.5 Years in Jail

A Moscow court has ordered that a Russian protester receive a 4.5-year prison sentence. The activist was the first of 18 on trial for participating in clashes during May’s antigovernment demonstrations. Maksim Luzyanin, 36, cooperated with the investigation and pleaded guilty on all charges of mass unrest during his participation in a protest held on May 6 at Bolotnaya Square – the eve of the inauguration of Russian President Vladimir Putin's third term. Luzyanin was arrested in late May and charged with 'participating in the unrest' and 'using violence against a representative of power.' He admitted to beating a police officer and throwing rocks during the protest. The defendant confessed to all the charges against him and expressed regret, saying he was “emotional and under the influence of an angry mob.” Prominent Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny said on Saturday the jail sentence handed to a protester against President Vladimir Putin highlighted the government's harsh approach to dissent.

http://rt.com/politics/bolotnaya-protester-sentenced-jail-401/
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/10/us-russia-navalny-idUSBRE8A909H20121110