PRESIDENTIAL MALI: Mali: the challenges facing the next president

 

Who Ibrahim Boubacar Keita or Soumaila Cisse will be called to preside over the destinies of Mali? This Sunday, August 11, some 6.9 million voters Mali will have to decide between the two finalists in the presidential election, which, in the absence of pre-program cis, seem to further highlight their personality as their vision of the country for the five years to come.

The burning issues, however, are not lacking in this country economically paralyzed from the military coup of 22 March 2012 that toppled President Amadou Toumani Toure (ATT). Endemic corruption, disobedience of the army, Tuareg separatists jolts northern and jihadist threat … The ability of the next head of state to quickly address these questions depends longevity in power.

Economic reconstruction

These are the reins of a nation just emerging from war that inherit the future Malian leader. Pointing country before the war, the 175th (out of 187) of the classification developed by the United Nations Program for Development (UNDP), Mali's GDP to contract by 1.5% during the events of 2012. A decline would have been even more so without revenues, including the exploitation of gold mines in South untouched by the fighting.

"The reconstruction especially for the north, where the Islamist insurgency and the French intervention destroyed the entire infrastructure of the three major cities of Gao, Timbuktu and Kidal, observes Michel Galy, professor of gen , opolitique the Institute of International Relations in Paris. But after reconstruction comes time development. For over 30 years, if not 50, nothing has been done to the north, where thousands of CFA francs invested were scattered in the sands of corruption. In this region, especially in the Tuareg villages, there are no schools, no wells, no roads, no health centers. Everything is done. "

"Malians expect the next president homogenization of wealth between the center and the outskirts of the north and south of the country abounds Emmanuel Dupuy, a specialist in international relations in the prospective Institute and Security in Europe (IPSE) he leads. The new government will work towards the development of Mali basement designate foreign companies can operate and then distribute the windfall across the country . "

Aware that regional inequalities are a source of instability, the international community has also conditioned the granting of its 3 billion euros of aid that they are equitably distributed s, especially in the North.

It is also necessary that the northern half, cut the rest of the country during the Islamic occupation, or with institutions capable of managing money. "The economic recovery through the restoration of administrative bases throughout the country. This is one of the major challenges of the future head of state ", Emmanuel Dupuy analysis.

National reconciliation

Halved after the coup jihadists, which was then associated with the Tuareg rebellion, Mali has again its territorial sovereignty since the military intervention French in early 2013. Nevertheless, in some parts of the North, including in Kidal, the Tuareg irredentism experiencing some turbulence. "The Tuareg rebels were present in five countries in Mali but they represent only a residual military force, says Michel Galy. They remained neutral during the campaign mainly because they expect the release of new negotiations that the future president will have to organize, under the terms of the preliminary peace agreement, within 60 days after election to define the status of the Azawad claimed by the rebels. "area

Weakened, divided, the Tuareg separatist movement has much to do for the autonomy of the region. "It will be difficult for the new president to give their view of the nationalist turn What made the campaign. At best, the MNLA [National Liberation Movement of Azawad] may benefit from decentralization, which would apply to the whole country. "

For experts, the Tuareg issue, however, is only part of the reconquest of national unity. "The head of state should make an extra effort vis-à-vis all the Malian people and not just Touareg MNLA says Emmanuel Dupuy. From a political point of view, it must involve the losers of the election. In view of the irregularities that took place during the first round, it may be that the president is elected with a number, after all, limited voice. The weakness of the score so the force to agree with the representatives of other political parties to form a government. To meet the country and meet its challenges, the president whatsoever must find a way to reach some sort of national consensus. "

This strategy may prove to be risky. "If the new president based his power on the consensus, then enroll in the right policy of former President ATT online. And it is this that caused his fall, says André Bourgeot, director of research at CNRS. Meanwhile, Malians ask the next president to establish strong institutions capable, for example, to fight corruption. But this does not happen on the political mégotage. "

The role of the army

Although they quickly left office after the coup, the military, who love nothing less than to feel abandoned by the state, remain a source of instability in a country accustomed , to coups. "The new government will have to consider how to restore the concept of a republican army, which is not yet complete. It is a work reorganization can take time, "says André Bourgeot. "The real challenge is to remind the military obligations and duties of protecting the sovereignty of Mali," insists his part Emmanuel Dupuy.

But then, the Malian armed forces are not the only ones to carry out this mission. Since the war, some 12,000 foreign soldiers, including 3,000 French still are deployed on the territory under the International Support Mission in Mali (Misma). Support which, for many observers, can be interpreted as a trusteeship Malian military. "The president must show that his army can perform the same tasks that foreign troops and will work for a better division of labor between international forces and soldiers Malian, "said Emmanuel Dupuy.

But for the researcher, rather than the army, is a Malian youth who might oppose frontally new power. "It is feared that this impromptu election inadequately prepared and organized in a hurry does not meet the challenges of rejuvenation and urbanization of its population . Discontent may occur otherwise, not necessarily by a coup. I think qu'IBK as Cissé know that if they are elected, their terms will not be a mandate that will lead to an end. "

UNITED STATES: SNCF in the U.S. elected viewfinder for his role in the Holocaust

 

Several elected Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. Congress introduced a new bill to allow prosecutions against SNCF for its role in transporting Jews to the camps of death during the Second World War. If approved, the law would counter the argument that the French company can not be prosecuted in the United States because of a U.S. law that guarantees the immunity as a controlled foreign corporation.

"For a long time the survivors and relatives of those who died trying to establish the liability of the railway for the active role it played in the Holocaust, but until Now the company has managed to wrap themselves in immunity and thus avoid proceedings before U.S. courts, "said Sen. Chuck Schumer said in a statement. 

SNCF, "a cog in the Nazi extermination machine"

This law "would allow survivors and relatives [of the victims] to be accountable to the French railway company to court for sending thousands of people to death during World War II," says there. If adopted, the text must be sent to President Barack Obama for promulgation.

In 2011, SNCF president Guillaume Pepy had recognized corporate responsibility in the deportation of Jews. The railway was "a cog in the Nazi extermination machine," he declared then, pointing out that more than 2,000 railway had been executed by the Nazi occupiers. Far from any ethical consideration, many felt that the train had to present his "apology" to preserve its chances of obtaining overseas contracts.

Requisitioned by the French Vichy government at the request of the German occupation authorities, SNCF transported 76,000 Jews from France in freight cars across the country and to extermination camps between 1942 and 1944.

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TENNIS: Wimbledon: Bartoli at the gates of the feat

 

All the lights are green for Marion Bartoli. The French argument that the semi-final of Wimbledon Thursday in a 2013 edition where all the favorites have already fallen. In the last four of the London tournament, all exploits are possible, the last four players who have never won a Grand Slam tournament.

The French 28 years old, seeded 15, is opposed to the amazing Belgian Kirsten Flipkens (No. 15). Face it, Marion Bartoli hopes to repeat the feat in 2007 when she was eliminated in the semifinals on the grass of Wimbledon, another much more famous Belgian Justine Henin. The Auvergne was then granted his first and only one Grand Slam final, before losing against Venus Williams.

Despite this beautiful memory, Marion Bartoli prefer not to show confidence. "It's totally different from 2007. Then I end up with the status of favorite. There are only four players. We all have a chance to win, "she said at a press conference.

The French leader is wary of this Belgian who had imposed Wimbledon junior ten years ago: "If Kirsten is, is that it plays excellent tennis. In 2007, I played Justin Henin and I had no luck on the paper. It is she who will be the most enterprising. "

Bartoli, although surrounded

In support of this challenge, Marion Bartoli can count on a new environment. Since the beginning of the year, the player asked his father and mentor Walter, with whom she maintained a close relationship, take a step back. It is now driven by Thomas Drouet, the former sparring partner of Bernard Tomic.

"Marion Bartoli, this is really a great person, a great human. I did not expect that at all for the first Grand Slam where I found the coach, "said the young coach, the French recruited after the it had been violently assaulted by the father of Tomic last May.

The Wimbledon semi-finalist also benefits from advice Amelie Mauresmo, captain of France's Fed Cup. Bartoli can not do without the presence of his senior, who had not planned to stay so long in London: "I'll tie on a chair and she will no longer be able to from. This is not a mascot but we will organize to keep it. "

"He'll have to get organized," said Mauresmo who considers Bartoli's opponent will not be easy to maneuver, "Flipkens not change badly, she is able to serve and volley occasionally. The slice backhand. It's a different game than we usually see on the circuit. "

The other semi-final will oppose the Polish Agnieszka Radwanska (No. 4) to Germany's Sabine Lisicki (25 °).

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BASKETBALL: The "Braqueuses" flying Euro basketball

 

The "Braqueuses" have so far fallen short of expectations raised by their great adventure of the Olympics in London, where they were amazed French viewers before to win the silver medal. A Trélazé host the first round of the Euro for their group, they signed a flawless flawless, with three wins in as many games, while communing with their subjugated by going public.

The friendlies were given an overview of both the popular fervor and the value of Blue. They had won their nine games prepared by a mean difference of 21.7 points. They did even better in the three official matches, won by an average 33-point gap. Latvia (62-39) and Serbia (76-32), archi-dominated athletically, have been crushed. Britain has fared better, but could not escape a similar fate (79-47). Although this group was perhaps the least observed of all, France has hit his fist on the table. The only threat hovering over the head of Blue would be to get caught up in the euphoria and lose concentration. But demanding Pierre Vincent is keeping watch. For the rest, everything goes.

The tricolor defense, the DNA of the team is in place, with only 39.3 points per game conceded. More surprisingly, it has the second best offense (72.3 points), behind Spain.

All lights green

France is also the second most skillful team in the competition (48.9% address) through a domestic sector ravaging everything in its path. Only the address winning shots (33.3%) is not quite so radiant, without being either disastrous. But the Blues have such a variety of options that fall within the detail.

For another positive aspect of the first round is that the coach could rotate his squad at leisure, without user organizations. Celine Dumerc and Sandrine Gruda, the two most used French, have played only 21 minutes on average. This was used to assess the science of game Gaëlle thomas, which begins in the blue shirt at age 30, or the raw talent of Diandra Tchatchouang (22) and Valerian Ayayi (19 years ).

All lights are green before entering the second round. Three opponents to come in order of appearance Croatia, the Czech Republic and Belarus, only the latter seems to disturb a little France.

With four points on the board to start the second phase, "Braqueuses" need only two wins in three games to be certain to go in the quarter. But they obviously target a new tripled history to maintain the momentum of 12 consecutive wins since their defeat by the United States Olympic final, and to provide a quarterfinal not too difficult.

AFP

INTERNET: Piracy: Justice delivered a first cut Internet

 

It took four years after the introduction of Hadopi (High Authority for the dissemination of works and protection of rights on the Internet). The district court of the Seine-Saint-Denis has just made the first cut internet for 15 days for a person convicted of illegally downloaded copyrighted works copyright. The judgment was made in late May, according to the PC Inpact who first revealed Wednesday, June 12 site is subject to a fine of 600 euros.

This ruling comes after three customary warnings required by law. The user affected by this procedure is believed to have hacked "two works." He would always post Inpact PC, especially not responded to warnings in the form of messages and emails. He would not even attend the hearing of the court to decide his fate. Still, it was another 10 days to appeal.

So far, the device fight against illegal downloading under Hadopi had given rise to a money judgment in September 2012. The user was then fined 150 euros for Rihanna songs illegally downloaded by his wife.

Technical difficulties

Internet disconnection is the sanction of last resort under the law. The conviction in late May by the district court arrived at this title at a pivotal moment in the troubled life of the Hadopi law, which was set up under the chairmanship , Presidency of Nicolas Sarkozy. The reason for this high authority, indeed, about to be gutted. The government intends to soon repeal the right to suspend, by court order, the Internet connection. "The decree is in the loop, it must obtain the opinion of the State Council," confirmed to PC Inpact, the French Minister of Culture Aurélie Filippetti.

The recent court decision could also bring grist to the mill of those who argue that the possibility of imposing an Internet disconnection is not effective. The suspension of the connection is, in fact, far from being effective. The implementation of sanctions not obvious. This is, indeed, not full access to the network can be cut, but only the "public" web.

In other words, the ISP (Internet Service Provider) must implement a selective cut. The user is condemned to continue to have access to his mailbox, instant messaging and all that belongs to the private email correspondence. In addition, digital TV and telephone – often involving the same networks as the Internet in three bunches in one – must be maintained. "All the operators do not have the technical capacity to carry out such a selective suspension," admitted Alex Türk, President of the CNIL (National Commission for Informatics and Liberties ) about this judiciaro engineering puzzle.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Exhibited in Paris, the pictures of "martyrs" are controversial Palestinian

 

"Martyrs" for some, "terrorists" for others. It is not uncommon to find in the streets and homes of Palestinian Territories pictures of men who carried out attacks against Israel, and who died in a suicide or were killed by the Israeli army. The iconography of a warrior type is explored by Palestinian photographer Ahlam Shibli, who exhibited his work at the Jeu de Paume museum in Paris until September 1. An exhibition that debate.

More than the photographs, it is their legends that are unacceptable to the CRIF [Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France], which protested against a "glorification of terrorism" and notes that "these People are mostly members of the al-Aqsa Brigades, ISSAL-Cardinal-Qassam Brigades and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), considered a terrorist organization by the Council of the Union European ". CRIF is an example of a photograph representing Osama Buchkar, which, according to legend in the exhibition, "engaged in a martyrdom operation in Netanya." "Actually," said CRIF in a statement, "three people were killed and 59 others injured in Netanya" by this individual.

Confrontation scheduled next Sunday

The Israeli Embassy in France, which sent its services to the museum to see the exhibition, explains in turn have "raised disturbing elements" and in the exhibition and "decided to take the authorities to ask for explanations," according to information obtained by FRANCE 24. For its part, the French Ministry of Culture does not want to react at the moment.

The case is amplified by the Israeli press and relayed over the internet, where circulating petitions and appeals gatherings. An appointment is even set next Sunday, June 16 by pro-Israeli movements to express their discontent. In response, pro-Palestinian groups have called for a "get massively on Sunday preferably to see and judge […] in the interest of this achievement, "wrote the Europalestine site last Saturday. The muséea provided a security strengthened. The scenario looks the same as in 2010, when an exhibition at Museum of Modern Art of the City of Paris had created great controversy and turned sour. Again, it was a reflection on the representation of Palestinians, this time via the work of German photographer Kai Wiedenhöfer. The museum had to close its doors for two hours and call the police. The next day the incident was closed and exposure could reopen.

Refusal to explain the conflict

For its part, the Jeu de Paume museum wishes to remain quiet about the subject, not to further fuel the controversy. However, it specifies that the legends were written entirely by Ahlam Shibli, at the request of the artist, and they are an integral part of œ PIECE. The museum recalls that blurb, written by the curators of the exhibition, presents these photographs and descriptions in context. Photograph of Ahlam "suspends the autonomy of the image and flips it into a system that is no longer used for informational purposes only" and believe the commissioners. The work of photographer "avoids own this medium historical obsession, that provide evidence at all costs. His images refuse to explain the conflict. "

The exhibition is not only focused on the Palestinians and their "martyrs". Ahlam Shibli strength to step back by expanding its theme to very remote countries and situations. It explores more generally uprooting, loss of home. For example, within the gay, lesbian and transgender immigrant from the Middle East, among orphans community in Poland, or the registration of memorials in France, celebrating in the same block the French resistance to the Nazis and the French colonial wars fighters. Tension between the subject and its environment, between a buried near death of his enemy. Contradictions in the same place.

The photographer saw itself in Haifa, Israel. And his work, says the blog "red glasses" on the website of Le Monde, is in line with the Israeli photographer Miki Kratsman, who emerged from anonymity and several Palestinian fighters gave a face. It has drawn the portrait (the cons) of Zakaria Zubeidi, leader of the Martyrs Brigades al-Aqsa in Jenin, weapons in hand and staring into the camera. The photograph was published in the Israeli daily Haaretz and then exposed at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.

The Brazil-England match will take place Sunday at the Maracana stadium

 

A "bureaucratic error" has failed to prevent the holding Sunday friendly football match Brazil-England at the Maracana, the legendary stadium in Rio de Janeiro, for safety reasons, officials of the State of Rio.

Two weeks before the start of the Confederations Cup, which should serve as a test for the World Cup-2014 in Brazil, a court in Rio took Thursday night the decision to ban the meeting. But this decision was canceled a few hours later, when the authorities of Rio showed that all the facilities were in good standing, said Friday the government of State in a statement. "The duty judge of the court of Rio de Janeiro has revoked the decision suspending the game," it is said.

The government has appealed the ban and presented documents "inspection miliary police proved that all safety conditions are in good standing at the Maracana," the statement which refers to "a bureaucratic error" to explain the confusion. At first, the judge had no evidence that the stage had taken the necessary steps to allow the holding of games or events in the stadium, explains the government. Selections from Brazil and England are already in Rio, where they train for the meeting to be held before 74,000 spectators.  

Missing technical reports

In announcing the ban on friendly, Gary Neville, assistant England coach Roy Hodgson, reacted with surprise and a very British sense of humor: "This match there? This Sunday? We will play on the beach, "is he laughed at a press conference.

The judge, who has decided to ban the stadium gave the right to the public prosecutor who said that "he could not be checked for the moment the stadium meets the minimum safety conditions necessary for holding matches and events. " The judgment required the submission of technical reports demonstrating that the stadium has the necessary security conditions to accommodate spectators. "Despite numerous requests from prosecutors, expert reports were not presented in their entirety and it is not for checking the time that the pre stage , presents the security requirements, "wrote the judge.

The ban on stage "does not make sense," believed to share the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). "The legal department said that all the expertise necessary have been made and they will be forwarded to the judge," the statement said CBF. "The stadium is 100% ready to host the Brazilian and ready fans for the Confederations Cup," said his part said the Secretary of S , State for Sport of the State of Rio Andre Lazaroni the Tupi radio. The first match of the Confederations Cup under Maracana would normally oppose Mexico to Italy on June 16

A legendary stage

The friendly match Brazil-England should mark the official opening of the Maracana stadium completely renovated Rio, which has already been placed under the supervision of the International Federation Football Association (FIFA) for the Confederations Cup.

Built for the World Cup in 1950, lost in the final by Brazil against Uruguay, it could hold 200,000 people, most standing in very precarious conditions. Its capacity was reduced to 78,639 seats, all seats, for reasons of comfort and safety.

The Maracana has been a first test at a third of capacity on April 28, after a total renovation which lasted two and a half years and cost almost $ 600 million , double the original estimate. It was expected to be completed in December, but the work has been much delayed. The vicinity of the stadium still offered Thursday in some places the spectacle of a site: dozens of workers wearing helmets, Concrete, metal fence … Inside the temple of Brazilian soccer, everything has been completely redone: lawn, stands, dressing rooms, sound system and giant screens.

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Take root in San Diego

 

Ten years after the invasion led by the United States in Iraq, it remains difficult to assess the real consequences of this war. Beyond the number of civilian and military deaths, the lives of tens of thousands of people have been permanently affected by the conflict. This is particularly the case of 80,000 Iraqis who have fled their country to settle in the United States.

The web documentary "My Beloved Enemy" gives voice to the Iraqis and the Americans scarred by war.

This sixth and final episode follows the footsteps of Enaam Husein, her husband and their family, a month after their arrival in San Diego (California) from Iraq.

To rebuild their lives, Husein have a dream: to have a little brother or sister to their unique American Girl With a social worker, Enaam, who suffers from. fertility problems after two abortions performed in Iraq, got an appointment in a specialized clinic.

INTERNET: Refusal redemption of Dailymotion: "France does not need predator capital"

 

The Minister of Productive Recovery Arnaud Montebourg, announced Wednesday that it had thwarted the takeover of 75% of the video site Dailymotion, a subsidiary of France Telecom-Orange, the compa American ty Yahoo!. This interference by the minister raises many critics. Asked by the newspaper Les Echos, CEO of Orange, Stéphane Richard, regretted this decision because, according to him, Dailymotion needs a U.S. partner to continue to die develop and compete with its main rival YouTube. He also argues that the failure of the sale could damage the image of France to foreign investors.

Sterdyniak Henry, director of the Department of Economics at Sciences Po Paris globalization, believes instead that the intervention of Arnaud Montebourg is sound. In international economics specialist, France, in fact, all the capabilities to maintain its ground for innovative companies.

FRANCE 24: The Minister of Productive Recovery Arnaud Montebourg, opposed the redemption Dailymotion, a subsidiary of France Telecom-Orange, the U.S. giant Yahoo!. Is that such blocking is new government?

Henri Sterdyniak: It actually is exceptional. The logic usually prevails, the government does not interfere in the conduct of business, except in very special cases. So far, the government felt that these obstacles were not of a strategic nature, but now we are seeing a change in doctrine. We do not want to let a company go under foreign control. When this happened, France lost all means of action.

These companies have lost their substance and disappeared completely. We think of course Arcelor-Mittal and steel Florange in recent news. The minister and wanted to put a stop to these practices and make clear with Dailymotion, France has a well located in an area of ​​future business. It would be stupid to sell abroad. There is no reason to lose its future development for short-term profits. Especially Orange has money and that also has public Investment Bank.

According to you, Arnaud Montebourg was therefore right to oppose the takeover?

H. S. : It is a gesture that will, in fact, in the right direction, because France has the financial capacity to develop independent businesses on the Internet. This is a trend that seeks to promote the Minister Arnaud Montebourg. He wants to keep France in innovative companies. You can not call this protectionism, but it is necessary that the French companies keep on making up their centers and production, otherwise we will be completely disarmed.

The American media yet very critical with regard to the French government. Does this decision may degrade the image of France to foreign investors?

H. S. : It must be remembered that the United States often take protectionist measures, especially against China. This is not a purely French practice. Americans have a strategy that is not hard-liberalism. The fact that France clearly say it has the concern to maintain the productive sectors on its soil should not surprise them. It is legitimate that encourages foreign investment the type of Toyota, which has installed a plant and create jobs in France, but when an investment is to take control of & rsquo , a company that works and has a potential for the future is more problematic. France does not have a Yahoo! guarantee for the future development of Dailymotion. She did not know either if the hidden objective was to kill the business because it is ultimately a competitor.

This blockage can get chilly foreign investors, but France has an important savings rate and capital available. We have the means to choose foreign investment and support companies that want to grow. France did not need the contribution of capital predators, but rather companies that bring something. In this case, the government found that the acquisition would provide no guarantee.

Alexei Navalny, icon anti-Putin again before the Russian courts

 

The opposition leader Vladimir Putin, Alexei Navalny, was back in court Wednesday for "embezzlement" in Kirov, 900 km from Moscow, a "case made e from scratch "as he and many opponents in Russia.

The trial, the first hearing last week was adjourned, resumed Wednesday morning.

The opponent, in jeans and shirt, did not make a statement on his arrival in the room, in which were his wife and especially the leader of the opposition Solidarnost movement Ilya Yashin.

Less relaxed than during the first hearing, he listened, concentrated, and took notes.

Mr. Navalny, liable in this case a maximum penalty of 10 years in the camps, is accused of masterminding the 2009 hijacking of 400,000 euros at the expense of logging Kirovles.

His trial opened on April 17, was postponed for a week after a 45-minute hearing. The judge partially granted the request of the defense wanted another month to review the case.

More than a hundred journalists, but also supporters of anti-corruption lawyer and blogger were then come to Kirov for the occasion.

Wednesday, the crowd was less. The city hall has authorized two rallies near the courthouse, one against and one in favor of the opponent, who denounced the holding of the trial.

"This case has been fabricated on the orders of Putin," said Mr. Navalny who said "have no doubt" that the Russian President "gave instructions" to convict him.

Effective speaker at anti-Putin demonstrations, destroyer of corruption through sensational revelations published on the Internet, Mr. Navalny, 36, became one of the leaders of the protest born 2011 to denounce fraud in parliamentary elections won by the party of Mr. Putin, United Russia.

The prospect of a conviction does nothing to diminish his offensive: he said that the Russian regime would collapse in "no more than two years," announced its ambition to become president and promised to be in prison Putin and his friends.

In the meantime, Mr. Navalny will face justice in many cases, his legal troubles not stopping, far away in the Kirovles case.

After the brief first hearing of Kirov, he learned a new investigation for fraud was brought against him and his brother Oleg.

Both are accused of causing a loss of approximately 95,000 euros to a company in which they have charged "at inflated prices" for their services through freight.

Again, the maximum penalty is 10 years of camp.

"All these cases are sewn with white thread", immediately commented Mr. Navalny.

The opponent is also accused of embezzling 2.5 million euros belonging to a liberal political party. He was also charged with fraud and money laundering in another case involving his brother again.

In February, he was accused of usurping his legal status by providing false information.

The authorities are trying to "intimidate" Mr. Navalny to silence "and to" create a climate of fear to silence "opponents, said political analyst Dmitry Oreshkin.

In fact, the opposition was able to mobilize hundreds of thousands of protesters in 2012 seems stalled, subject to unprecedented pressure in recent months.

The former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky was jailed estimated in an article published Wednesday by the newspaper Vedomosti that the purpose of the trial was Navalny "frighten and demoralize opponents and politically active voters, and to present the peaceful protest and struggle for power (…) as something marginal and extremist. "

AFP