Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny stands to hear his verdict in a Kirov court.<br/> <br />The judge announces that he has been found guilty on charges of theft, and will serve five years in jail.<br/> <br />Navalny's defence had argued that the case was politically motivated, but the judge refuted these claims.<br/> <br />The court convicted him of organising a scheme to steal at least 16 million roubles - around half a million U.S. dollars - from a local timber firm.<br/> <br />Navalny is a leading opposition figure in Russia and has led the biggest protests against President Vladimir Putin since he took power in 2000.<br/> <br />Many in the opposition say the trial was part of a Kremlin clampdown on dissent.
