A Russian court’s sentencing this week of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny to 3-1/2 years in prison was a “huge mistake” for the stability of Russia, French President Emmanuel Macron said.

“The Navalny case is a very serious situation”, - Macron told an online forum sponsored by the Atlantic Council, a Washington-based think-tank.

Alexey Navalny, one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s leading critics, received the sentence on Tuesday after the court ruled he had violated the terms of a parole. But the court said his term would be shortened for time he spent under house arrest.

“I think this was a huge mistake even for Russian stability today”, - added Macron.