Russian anti-corruption blogger and protest leader Alexei Navalny at an anti-government rally in Moscow last year.<br/> <br />On Wednesday, a court hearing investigating him on charges of stealing over $500,000 from a timber firm in 2009 was adjourned until next week.<br/> <br />The opposition figure says the court proceedings are politically motivated and part of a clampdown on dissent by Vladimir Putin.<br/> <br />Navalny, 36, could face 10 years in jail if convicted.<br/> <br />He told reporters that he was certain the he would be able to prove his innocence.<br/> <br />Navalny is the most prominent opposition activist to be tried since anti-Putin protests began 16 months ago.<br/> <br />He started campaigning against state corruption in 2007 and emerged as the most powerful speaker during rallies calling for an end to Putin's long domination of Russia last year.
