[sojorn]

Indeed, he did announce that. He had a good chance of winning this election (even with outrageos cheating from the Putin's part (another candidate is just Putin's puppet who uses his mayor's powers to embezzle money from Moscow's budget)).

He exposed the ruling party, or, to be more accurate, the "cream of the crop" of this party who, through numerous schemes, suck money from Russia and from taxpayers' money). He was widely regarded as an annoyance to Putin and his friends (all of whom became billionaires).

Navalny did nothing wrong and is a real patriot of the country, but unfortunately the Law doesn't work in Russia because Putin directly or indirectly controls it all.

This trial is a theater and was only done to deprive Navalny of any future political activities (several weeks ago the very same party passed a law that prohibits convicted people from being elected anywhere). The judge built this trial on top of the words (with no proof) of an executive of this company (who obviously have been forced to slander Navalny and who said during the trial that "I don't remember the exact details, but Navalny is guilty". It became so funny that the prosection had to read to this executive what he has to say during the trial). The judge barred more than 10 witnesses of the defense, and basically didn't allow the defense to present any evidence that implies Navalny's innocence (independent audit reports, for example). Judges who find guilty otherwise innocent opposition members get awarded with appartments and get another luxurious incentives.

It wasn't a trial, it was a circus. But hey, even circuses have better and more professional clowns.