NAVALNY GETS 31/2 YEARS, BLAMES PUTIN'S FEAR

A Russian court jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny on Tuesday for 3½ years, a term the opposition politician blamed on what he called President Vladimir Putin's hatred and fear of him.

His lawyer said the anti-corruption blogger would serve only two years and eight months because of time spent under house arrest.

The widely anticipated ruling, which followed nationwide protests calling for Navalny's release, is likely to further strain relations with the West, which is likely to consider imposing sanctions on Russia.

The United States, Britain and Germany urged Moscow to immediately free Navalny, with

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken saying Washington would coordinate closely with allies to hold Russia accountable.

Navalny was arrested on Jan. 17 for alleged parole violations after returning from Germany after being poisoned with a military-grade nerve agent.

PRESS SERVICE OF SIMONOVSKY DISTRICT COURT / HANDOUT VIA REUTERS Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who is accused of flouting the terms of a suspended sentence for seeking medical care in Germany after being poisoned, making a heart gesture in court in Moscow on Tuesday.