Russian justice suspends activities of opponent Navalny's organizations

Russian justice on Monday ordered the suspension of the activities of organizations linked to the imprisoned opponent Alexei Navalny, which are threatened with being declared "extremists" and banned.

This tireless 44-year-old anti-corruption activist and sworn enemy of President Vladimir Putin put an end to his hunger strike in detention on Friday, after 24 days, in the face of his worsening state of health.

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The measure taken precedes a trial for "extremism" targeting the structures of the opponent.

In this context, a first preliminary hearing behind closed doors began on Monday and another is scheduled for Thursday, the Moscow City Court told AFP.

"The activities of the offices of Navalny and the Anti-Corruption Fund (FBK) were immediately suspended," wrote on Twitter Ivan Zhdanov, the director of the FBK, accompanying his message with photographs of this decision taken by the prosecutor in the 'waiting for this trial which could definitively prohibit their activities.

Germany denounces decision "incompatible with the principles of the rule of law"

A lawyer close to the opposition, Vladimir Voronin, said on Twitter that the prosecution had suspended the regional offices of Navalny, while the suspension of the FBK has yet to be ordered by a court on Monday. Germany, which like many other Western capitals demands the release of Navalny, condemned a decision "incompatible with the principles of the rule of law".

The Moscow office of Navalny for its part regretted on Telegram "not being able to work in the old format" because of this decision. It would be too dangerous for our employees and for our supporters ", he continued, while promising that they" will continue, in a personal capacity, to fight against corruption ", against the party in power, United Russia, and against President Vladimir Poutine. "It will not be easy to fight, but we will win absolutely, because we are numerous and we are strong", assured the Moscow office of the opponent.