As of: 09/28/2021 3:46 p.m.
The Russian judiciary is continuing to take action against Kremlin critic Navalny: It initiated new investigations into “the establishment of an extremist community”. Nawalnys could therefore remain in custody longer.
The Russian judiciary has launched a new investigation into the imprisoned Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. Navalny is accused of “establishing and leading an extremist organization”, according to a statement from the Investigation Committee responsible for serious crimes. Since 2014, this is said to have called for a “change of power through violence”.
Several well-known supporters of Navalny are also being investigated – including the lawyer Lyubow Sobol and the oppositionists Ivan Zhdanov and Leonid Volkov, who live abroad.
A possible conviction for the new allegations could significantly extend Nawalny’s prison term.
Nawalny’s organizations classified as extremist
In June a Russian court – despite international criticism – classified the anti-corruption fund and other organizations as extremist and thus banned it. Critics complained that supporters of the opposition should be politically eliminated.
Navalny is considered to be the main adversary of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russian opposition accuses the leadership in Moscow of manipulating the parliamentary elections in September. The Kremlin denies this.
Navalny has been in the penal camp since the beginning of the year
Navalny, who barely survived a poison attack last year, has been detained in a prison camp around 100 kilometers east of Moscow since the beginning of the year for a different sentence. A corresponding judgment from February is criticized as politically motivated. The Kremlin critic’s lawyers calculated at the time that he could be released in the summer of 2023.
However, his supporters now fear that Navalny could remain in custody much longer. Navalny’s press spokeswoman Kira Jarmysch wrote on Twitter with a view to the Duma election more than a week ago: “Everyone has asked if the pressure will ease after the elections. Well, here is the answer.” It is the fourth criminal case against Navalny that has been opened since his imprisonment.