- Russian political leader Alexei Navalny, in prison after opposing President Vladimir Putin, has had new charges brought against him
- In the latest development, the Russian Investigative Committee said the new charges against Navalny include creating an organization that “infringes on the personality and rights of citizens”
- The latest charges against Navalny follows a new criminal investigation into two foreign-based Navalny allies who raised funds for his political network
MOSCOW, Russia: Russian political leader Alexei Navalny, in prison after opposing President Vladimir Putin, has had new charges brought against him in a move seen as the latest development in a crackdown prior to September’s parliamentary election.
Navalny was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for alleged parole violations. He was arrested upon returning from Germany where he was treated after being poisoned with a nerve agent.
In the latest development, the Russian Investigative Committee said the new charges against Navalny include creating an organization that “infringes on the personality and rights of citizens.” He could receive an additional three years in prison.
The extra time in jail could keep Navalny in prison until after the next presidential election in 2024.
The committee charges Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation with inciting Russians to break the law and take part in illegal protests demanding his release in January.
Navalny and his supporters found their network outlawed in June, after a court labelled his anti-corruption foundation and regional campaign groups as extremists.
Several of Navalny’s supporters have left Russia, fearing imprisonment. Russia also disbanded their regional groups to protect activists.
In a special media posting under the name Team Navalny, supporters described the government’s charges against Navalny as “the latest meaningless charge.”
“No one infringes on the personality and rights of citizens like Putin and his henchmen, including the Investigative Committee,” they said on Telegram.
The latest charges against Navalny follows a new criminal investigation into two foreign-based Navalny allies who raised funds for his political network.
Meanwhile, Russian media has reported that Navalny supporter Lyubov Sobol fled Russia and is now in Turkey.
