Putin critic Navalny receives new 19-year sentence

• A Russian court in 2021 outlawed several organizations founded by Navalny, labeling them "extremist."
• The new sentence stems from charges which his allies argue retroactively criminalize his anti-corruption foundation's activities since its creation in 2011, per AP.
• Navalny predicted in a social media post Thursday that he would receive a long, "Stalinist" prison sentence.

What they're saying: "I perfectly understand that, like many political prisoners, I am sitting on a life sentence. Where life is measured by the term of my life or the term of life of this regime," Navalny wrote on X Friday after the sentencing.

• European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell wrote on X Friday that "this verdict is politically motivated & demonstrates the continued instrumentalisation of the Russian legal system."
• "EU calls on Russia for his immediate & unconditional release," he added.

Between the lines: Navalny said Thursday that the term of the new sentence "doesn't really matter" because he is also facing separate terrorism charges that could bring another 10-year sentence.

• Last year Russia added Navalny and several of his allies to its list of terrorists and extremists.

• Navalny added Friday that the new large prison sentence is intended to leave Russian citizens "frightened and deprived of the will to resist."
• Navalny warned in April that the new extremism charges could mean he will face life in prison.

Zoom out: Russia has intensified its crackdown on dissent since the start of the war in Ukraine last year.

• Russia detained American journalist Evan Gershkovich on espionage charges in late March — the first time Russia detained a U.S. journalist on spying charges since the Cold War. He remains in detention.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details.