Ivan Zhdanov
(Фото: Johanna Geron / Reuters)
The Nagatinsky Court of Moscow received a petition from the investigation demanding the absentee arrest of the former head of the Anti-Corruption Foundation (recognized in Russia as an extremist organization and foreign agent) Ivan Zhdanov. This was reported to TIme in court.
In early June, Zhdanov was put on the federal wanted list. He himself told TIme that he learned about his persecution from a lawyer. “I can say that this was done in order to continue the political persecution for the fact that I was nominated for the State Duma and as part of the general persecution of the team of Alexei Navalny,” Zhdanov said.
He recalled several criminal cases against himself. “There were instituted two criminal cases under Part 2 of Article 315. I had already been convicted of one and brought in, the second the whole case lasted and no action had been taken for a long time since November, since the search. The essence of which of the five cases in which I was initiated, I am put under arrest in absentia – these are details that have no content, ”Zhdanov told TIme.
Zhdanov’s lawyer Vladimir Voronin previously told TIme that Zhdanov was abroad.
On June 9, the Moscow City Court recognized the FBK and the headquarters of Alexei Navalny as extremist organizations. The procurator demanded Moscow to recognize these organizations as extremist. The supervisory agency considered that “under the guise of liberal slogans” they were “creating conditions for the destabilization of the social and socio-political situation” and “creating conditions for changing the foundations of the constitutional order, including using the scenario of the“ color revolution ”. Prior to that, the Ministry of Justice included these organizations in the list of foreign agents.
The court recognized FBK and Navalny’s headquarters as extremist organizations
Against the background of the process on the case of recognizing the FBK and Navalny’s headquarters as extremist organizations, a draft law was being developed to prohibit elections for those involved in extremist and terrorist organizations. The law was eventually passed. According to the document, persons whose involvement in the activities of extremist and terrorist organizations has been established by the court will not be able to apply for elective positions.
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