The anti-corruption group of jailed Russian opposition leader Navalny has vowed to continue their work after a Russian court banned Navalny-linked groups and called them “extremist.
Navalny’s anti-corruption foundation tweeted Thursday (June 10), “We will continue our fight against corruption.”
Wednesday’s ruling by that Moscow court banned people linked to Navalny-related organizations from seeking public office, including parliamentary seats. Russia will hold parliamentary elections in September.
Prosecutors have accused Navalny and his associates of trying to destabilize Russia.
The U.S. State Department condemned the ruling Wednesday.
“We urge Russia to stop abusing the ‘extremist’ characterization to combat nonviolent organizations, end the repression against Mr. Navalny and his supporters, and uphold its international obligations to respect and guarantee human rights and fundamental freedoms,” State Department spokesman Price said in a statement. “The Russian people, like all people, have the right to speak freely, to form peaceful organizations for common goals, to practice religious freedom and to make their voices heard through free and fair elections.”
Navalny sharply criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin. He is currently serving a two-and-a-half-year sentence for violating his parole in a case related to an embezzlement case for which he was convicted in 2014. He insists the case was politically motivated.
Narvani was arrested in January of this year while returning to Russia after five months of recovery from treatment in Germany for nerve agent poisoning. He accused the Kremlin of poisoning. Russia rejected the accusation.
Deputy Secretary of State Sherman said she expects President Biden to talk about the Navalny poisoning and other human rights issues when he meets with Putin in Geneva next week.
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