'Keep me in handcuffs': Navalny denounces criminal proceedings

Kremlin critic will remain in jail until parole hearing next week where he could be sent to penal colony

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny has denounced the criminal proceedings against him, telling a Russian court via a video link from jail that while it had the power now to keep me in handcuffs ... that situation is not going to continue for ever".

As a Moscow appeal hearing has rejected calls to release him from jail and investigators charged Navalny's top aides in a series of inquiries meant to disrupt the protest movement that has arisen in his support, he told the court he believed the proceedings were part of a campaign to intimidate the opposition.