'I am not afraid of them', Russian activist Aleksei Navalny

One of Russia's leading opposition figures, Alexei Navalny, has gone on trial for embezzlement.

Federal investigators in Moscow brought the charges over a timber deal in the Kirov region in which he was involved as an unofficial adviser in 2009.

The 36-year-old, known for his blogs denouncing President Vladimir Putin's United Russia party as crooks, faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

In an interview with the BBC's Daniel Sandford, Mr Navalny said the prosecution of political activist is one of the ways for the authorities to control the political situation in the country.