An ally of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny was detained Saturday over charges he incited extremism online.
Pavel Zelensky, a member of the Anti-Corruption Foundation, was ordered to be jailed by the Presnensky District Court a day before Navalny is expected to return to Russia after he was poisoned in August and fled to Germany for treatment.
The court said in a statement to Reuters that Zelensky was jailed, and his detention was confirmed by Ivan Zhdanov, director of the Anti-Corruption Foundation.
ADVERTISEMENT
“[We] will not give up and will help Pasha Zelensky’s family in every way possible,” Zhdanov tweeted.
The Anti-Corruption Foundation, a leading opposition group in Moscow, works to investigate government graft.
Zelensky’s case reportedly revolves around a picture he tweeted of Irina Slavina, a Russian journalist who set herself on fire in front the Interior Ministry after police searched her apartment. Zelensky urged protesters to take to the streets after her death.
The arrest comes at a high-stakes moment in the tug of war between the opposition and Russian President Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Vladimirovich PutinBill Burns knows Russia inside out — and that will be critical to Biden The Hill's Morning Report - Trump impeached again; now what? Overnight Defense: Trump impeached for second time | National Guard at Capitol now armed, swelling to 20K troops for inauguration | Alabama chosen for Space Command home MORE’s government.
Navalny announced last week that he intends to return to Russia on Jan. 17 after he was poisoned in an attack broadly believed to have been ordered by the Kremlin. Russia’s prison agency warned this week that Navalny may be promptly arrested upon his return to Russia, though such an action could ultimately lead to fiercer protests and lionize the opposition leader in the eyes of his followers and Western supporters.
World - Latest - Google News
January 16, 2021 at 11:34PM
https://ift.tt/35M2wmh
Navalny ally jailed in Moscow on extremism charges | TheHill - The Hill
World - Latest - Google News
https://ift.tt/2SeTG7d
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Navalny ally jailed in Moscow on extremism charges | TheHill - The Hill"
Post a Comment