Russia steps up pressure on Alexei Navalny: ordered the capture of jailed opponent’s NGO director



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In this file photo taken on September 3, 2020, the director of the anti-corruption foundation FBK, Ivan Zhdanov, poses during an interview with AFP in Moscow (Photo: AFP)
In this file photo taken on September 3, 2020, the director of the anti-corruption foundation FBK, Ivan Zhdanov, poses during an interview with AFP in Moscow (Photo: AFP)

The Russian Interior Ministry has issued a search and arrest warrant against Ivan Zhdanov, director of the Anti-Corruption Fund (FBK) -NGO founded by the imprisoned Russian opponent Alexei Navalny-, Two days after organizations associated with the imprisoned politician have been banned in this country.

Barely two days have passed since the FBK was declared an extremist organization and I have already been searched and capturedZhdanov himself wrote in a post on Instagram.

The Navalny collaborator posted a capture of the Home Office database with the information on his case, indicating that He is wanted by the courts under an article of the Russian penal code.

“I don’t know why, but it may be related to the ten criminal cases they opened against me”, said Zhdanov, who emigrated from Russia in the fall of 2019 following the opening of criminal proceedings against FBK for alleged money laundering.

According to the opponent, Navalny employees now have two options: to be searched and captured or to be arrested.

To influence this situation, He called on the Russians to support the “Smart Vote” initiative devised by Navalny against parliamentarians in September. and which consists in supporting the candidate who has the best chance of defeating the representative of the ruling United Russia party.

Russian opposition politicians Alexei Navalny, Lyubov Sobol and Ivan Zhdanov (Photo: REUTERS / Shamil Zhumatov)
Russian opposition politicians Alexei Navalny, Lyubov Sobol and Ivan Zhdanov (Photo: REUTERS / Shamil Zhumatov)

Russian justice on Wednesday banned the Anti-Corruption Fund (FBK) – the scourge of illicit enrichment among senior Russian officials -, the Fund for the Protection of Citizens’ Rights (FZPG) and the network of offices of the ‘oppositionby declaring them “extremists” and thus preventing their members and supporters from standing for election at any level.

The decision implies that Anyone who has associated with these three organizations or has only supported them in any way cannot run for public office for a period of up to five years.

Additionally, employees, as well as those seeking to maintain banned organizations, face the threatens to up to six years in prison.

FBK has also been listed as foreign agent, therefore, its activity in Russia is prohibited.

With information from EFE, EuropaPress and AFP

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