Russian authorities suspend operation of Navalny’s offices

Activists from Amnesty International demonstrate outside the Russian embassy in Berlin, on April 24 calling for the release of Alexei Navalny. Pic/AFP

Russian authorities on Monday ordered the offices of imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny to suspend all of their activities pending a court ruling on whether to ban them as an extremist group. The injunction by the Moscow prosecutor's office was posted on social media by Navalny's allies.

The move is part of the most recent crackdown on Navalny's organisations earlier this month, the prosecutor's office petitioned a court to label his Foundation for Fighting Corruption and network of regional offices as extremist groups.

Such a label would outlaw their activities and expose members and supporters to lengthy prison terms, according to human rights advocates. It is a major challenge for Navalny's embattled team, with many of its members arrested, targeted by law enforcement with raids or facing criminal charges.

The prosecutors on Monday also asked a Moscow court to restrict the activities of the Foundation for Fighting Corruption by banning it from spreading information in the media, taking part in elections, using banks or organizing public events, according to Ivan Pavlov, a lawyer representing Navalny's team. The ruling on the motion was expected later on Monday. Navalny's foundation opened 10 years ago and has since targeted high-ranking Russian officials with exposes on corruption, many in the form of colourful and widely watched YouTube videos.

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