One of the many disturbing aspects of the NSA spying revelations is how much joy they have brought to the world's chronic violators of human rights and political freedoms. On Thursday in Moscow, where former NSA contractor Edward Snowden awaits his asylum papers, a Russian court removed a major critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin from the Kremlin's list of worries, sentencing the charismatic opposition leader Alexei Navalny to five years in jail on theft charges. Amid intense anger at the verdict and fears that it would raise Navalny's profile, the court agreed on Friday to release him pending appeal.
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Frida Ghitis: NSA spying revelations have brought joy to world's violators of human rights
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Ghitis: While Russia convicts corruption-fighter Alexei Navalny, it defends Snowden
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She says Navatny is the most prominent of a long series of politically-motivated prosecutions
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Ghitis: Putin is basking in moral relativism, feeling his abuses are OK by criticizing U.S. spying
Alexei Navalny
Navalny
Alexei Navalny
Now that he's released, @placeholder is considering whether to stay or withdraw from the race for mayor.
Vladimir Putin
Putin
Meanwhile, @placeholder and his backers are having a field day.
Vladimir Putin
Putin
For @placeholder, having Snowden in Russia creates many complications, but he has hardly managed to conceal his glee at having America's top critic under his protection.
Edward Snowden
Snowden
For Putin, having @placeholder in Russia creates many complications, but he has hardly managed to conceal his glee at having America's top critic under his protection.
U.S.
For Putin, having Snowden in Russia creates many complications, but he has hardly managed to conceal his glee at having @placeholder's top critic under his protection.
Edward Snowden
Snowden
Still, Putin derived visible satisfaction from having @placeholder land in Russia's lap, armed with material to discredit the United States.
Russian
Russian
Russia
Still, Putin derived visible satisfaction from having Snowden land in @placeholder's lap, armed with material to discredit the United States.