European Court of Human Rights says Russia should free Navalny, Russia says no 'legal grounds' to do so | THE DAILY STAR

Judges at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) have ruled that Russia should immediately release Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

The Strasbourg-based ECHR said on Wednesday it had ruled on Feb. 16 to "indicate to the Government of Russia... to release the applicant".

Russian authorities did not immediately comment on the ruling by the ECHR -- the international court of the Council of Europe, Europe's main human rights forum, of which Russia is a member.

But Russia passed a law last year giving its national legislation precedence over international treaties and rulings from international bodies in cases when they conflict with the Russian constitution. Navalny's allies had earlier published a letter from a member of the court containing its decision which a Navalny ally, Leonid Volkov, said was binding.

 Russia said on Wednesday there were no legal grounds to set Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny free, rejecting a call from the European Court of Human Rights for his immediate release.

Justice Minister Konstantin Chuychenko told Interfax news agency the court's demand was "unreasonable and unlawful" and "there are no legal grounds for the release of this person from custody".