Russian authorities have levied new criminal charges against imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
Russia’s Investigative Committee said that it has charged Navalny with creating a non-profit organization that infringes on people’s rights.
The anti-corruption activist is currently completing a 2 and a half year sentence but could be facing up to three more years based on the new charges, which would put him behind bars until after the presidential election in 2024.
Officials alleged that Navalny’s “Foundation for Fighting Corruption” incited Russians “to perform unlawful actions” by urging them to join unauthorized protests in January.
The non-profit organization was launched 10 years ago and has since published dozens of widely watched videos exposing the alleged corruption of senior government officials.
In June, a court outlawed the Foundation for Fighting Corruption and a network of Navalny’s regional offices as extremist organizations. The designation barred people associated with the groups from seeking public office and exposed them to lengthy prison terms.
When asked about the new charge, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric reiterated Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ concern that “we are seeing a shrinking of space for civil society.”
Many have linked Moscow’s crackdown on the corruption fighter and to Russia’s parliamentary election. The 45-year-old Navalny is Russian President Vladimir Putin’s most ardent political foe.
Several of his closest allies have left the country for fear of prosecution, and his team has also disbanded their regional groups to protect activists.
Posting under the name “Team Navalny”, supporters said on Telegram messenger, “No one infringes on the personality and rights of citizens like Putin himself and all his henchmen, including the Investigative Committee.”
Navalny was arrested in January upon returning from Germany, where he spent five months recovering from a nerve agent poisoning that he blames on the Kremlin — an accusation rejected by Russian officials.
