Russian court bans Alexei Navalny's organizations

MOSCOW: A Russian court has banned several organisations of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, classifying them as extremist. The organisations include Navalny's anti-corruption foundation FBK and his regional offices, the Moscow court announced on Wednesday night.

The prosecution in Moscow said that Navalny's movement was destabilising the "socio-political situation in the country", reports dpa news agency. It was calling for "extremist activities, mass unrest - also trying to implicate minors in illegal activities", the prosecutor said.

Based on a new law, Navalny's supporters may now not stand for the upcoming parliamentary elections in autumn.

The law, which was implemented a few days ago, excludes supporters of extremist organisations from running in elections.

Navalny's supporters had slammed the trial as politically motivated and as a means of silencing the opposition. His lawyers announced they would appeal the ruling. Navalny urged his supporters not to give up. (IANS)

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