EU diplomat: Navalny case a 'low point' in ties with Russia

  European Union's top diplomat told Russia's foreign minister Friday that treatment of Russian opposition leer Alexei Navalny represents “a low point” in relations between Brussels and Moscow.

EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov several days after Navalny was ordered to serve nearly three years in prison, a ruling that elicited international outr.

“Certainly, our relations are under a severe strain, and Navalny case is a low point in our relations,” Borrell said ahe of his talks with Lavrov in Moscow.

Navalny, 44, an anti-corruption investigator and Russian President Vlimir Putin's most prominent critic, was arrested last month upon returning from Germany, where he spent five months recovering from a nerve-nt poisoning that he blames on Kremlin. Russian authorities have rejected accusation.After meeting, Borell said he h relayed to Lavrov his concerns over Navalny's jailing and arrests of thousands of people who demonstrated on his behalf.

EU official said he also communicated bloc's support for Navalny's release and for an investigation of August poisoning. Russian foreign minister, in turn, once again accused European officials of refusing to share evidence of poisoning. Kremlin has said it won't listen to Western criticism of Navalny's sentencing and police action against his supporters.Navalny's Jan. 17 arrest triggered massive protests across Russia, with tens of thousands of people rallying in streets to demand his release. Many protesters chanted slogans against Putin in largest show of discontent in years. Thousands of protesters have been detained.

A Moscow court on Tuesday found that Navalny violated probation terms of his suspended sentence from a 2014 money-laundering conviction, and ordered him to serve two years and eight months in prison.

Navalny on Friday appeared in ar court on a charge of slandering a World War II veteran featured in a pro-Kremlin video.

A criminal probe of politician was opened after he slammed people featured in a video promoting constitutional amendments last year that allowed an extension to President Vlimir Putin's rule. Navalny called people in video “corrupt stooges,” “people without conscience” and “traitors.”

Russian authorities maintained that Navalny's comments “denigrate () hor and dignity” of a World War II veteran featured in video. If convicted, Navalny faces a fine or community service.

He has denied charge and refused to ple guilty on Friday. He called trial a “PR process" aimed at disparaging him.

" Kremlin needs helines (saying that) Navalny slandered a veteran,” he said.

94-year-old veteran, Ignat Artemenko, took part in hearing via teleconference. He said he was distressed by Navalny's comments and demanded a public apology. judge ordered a recess several hours after hearing started, citing Artemenko's health.