Germany calls for Navalny's release, end of crackdown

Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesperson reiterated on Wednesday German leer's call for immediate release of imprisoned Russian opposition leer Alexei Navalny and an end to police crackdown against anti-government protesters.

Steffen Seibert told reporters in Berlin on Wednesday that Moscow court's verdict "was far from principles of rule of law."

Seibert ted that ruling was based on an earlier verdict that European Court of Human Rights h deemed "arbitrary" and a breach of Navalny's rights to a fair trial.

He ded that Russia has pledged to respect European Convention on Human Rights that Strasbourg-based court cited.

"refore German government and chancellor personally call for release of Mr. Navalny," Seibert said.

Seibert also cited media reports of what he called "outrous examples of police brutality, police violence against peaceful and defenseless protesters."

" German government condemns this systematic use of violence against peaceful protesters," he said.