Opposition politician Alexey Navalny is appealing the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Central Election Commission’s rejection of his presidential candidacy application. If the court rules against Navalny again, the politician’s lawyers say he will take the matter to the European Court of Human Rights.
On December 25, federal election officials refused to register Alexey Navalny’s presidential candidacy nomination on the grounds that he is still serving a felony probation sentence. According to election laws, Navalny is ineligible for elected office until at least 2028.
Russia’s next presidential election takes place on March 18, 2018, when Vladimir Putin is expected to win re-election easily.