Alexey Navalny indicted for creating an organization that infringes on Russian citizens’ rights

The Russian investigative Committee has indicted jailed opposition politician Alexey Navalny for creating a nonprofit organization that infringes on the liberties and rights of Russian citizens.

State investigators brought formal charges against Navalny on August 10, for creating and leading the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK). According to the investigation, the nonprofit’s activities “were associated with motivating citizens to commit criminal acts.” In particular, the Investigative Committee claims that Navalny, as well as his chief of staff Leonid Volkov and FBK head Ivan Zhdanov, distributed calls to participate in unauthorized rallies in January 2021 via the Internet. 

The criminal case was launched in February 2021, but only became known in late April. Under Criminal Code article 239, section 2, Navalny may face fines up to 200,000 rubles ($2,700), compulsory labor, restrictions on freedom (a parole-like sentence), or imprisonment for a period of up to three years. 

Alexey Navalny is currently serving a 2.5-year prison sentence. He has been imprisoned in Penal Colony No.2 (IK-2) in Russia’s Vladimir region since March 2021.

In June, the Moscow City Court sided with local prosecutors and blacklisted three of Navalny’s organizations (the FBK, Citizens’ Rights Protection Foundation, and his national network of campaign offices) as “extremist.” They were liquidated by a court ruling in early August.