Alexei Navalny on his way to Russia despite the risk of being arrested
Police are deployed near Moscow airport, waiting for Alexei Navalny.
REUTERS - SHAMIL ZHUMATOV
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
The opponent Alexey Navalny is expected in Moscow at the end of the afternoon this Sunday.
He has made an appointment with his supporters at the airport, but it is not known whether he will be able to meet them.
Alexey Navalny is the subject of legal proceedings by Russian authorities and could be arrested as soon as he gets off his plane.
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With our correspondent in Moscow
,
Jean-Didier Revoin
On social networks, more than 9,000 people say they want to welcome Alexey Navalny at the airport.
But their chances of seeing the opponent are slim, as he risks arrest upon arrival.
Sentenced to 3.5 years in prison in a fraud case, Alexey Navalny did not appear for a judicial review a few weeks ago.
Admittedly, the opponent was recovering in Germany, but the letter sent to justify this absence would have arrived late.
This is why the Russian prison services have called for the reprieve to be revoked, which could lead to him being imprisoned.
At the end of December, another criminal investigation was opened against the opponent.
Justice accuses him of having used for personal purposes nearly 4 million euros that he would have drawn from his anti-corruption fund.
He therefore faces another sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
Fully aware of the risks he runs, Alexey Navalny remains determined to return to his country.
Determined?
The authorities are too.
Airport management banned journalists from filming Navalny's arrival, saying they would provide footage.
And since Saturday evening, anti-riot forces have been deployed around the airport.
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Russia
Alexei Navalny