Russia strongly protests against the trial of the Navalny and describes the presence of foreign diplomats at the session as interference in Moscow’s internal affairs

The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that the presence of foreign diplomats at a court hearing examining the extension of the prison for opposition Alexei Navalny is evidence of some Western attempts to interfere in Moscow’s affairs.

Navalny is accused of repeatedly violating parole in a case that has sparked nationwide protests and sparked talk of new Western sanctions.

Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Foreign Ministry, wrote on Facebook that the presence of the diplomats was evidence of what she described as Western attempts to curtail Russia.

The Kremlin said on Tuesday that Russia hopes that the European Union will not link its relations with the Navalny case, saying it will reciprocate any violent criticism related to this matter from the bloc.

Josep Borrell, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, is expected to visit Moscow between February 4 and 6, which comes at a time when relations between the two sides are tense over the Navalny case.