WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) today issued the following statement regarding the decision by a Russian court to sentence Alexei Navalny, an activist, blogger and opposition candidate for mayor of Moscow, to five years in prison:

“The conviction of Alexei Navalny on politically-motivated charges proves that Russia is not committed to upholding basic human rights. Now, as in the days of Soviet control, Russian courts are being used as tools of persecution and repression, not institutions of justice and equality. These types of cruelties isolate Russia on the global stage and could have grave consequences for the future of Europe. I stand with those Russians, like Mr. Navalny, who are committed to shining a spotlight on the oppressive Putin regime."