A court in Russia has ordered the arrest of Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, during a hearing conducted in absentia. The ruling was made by Moscow’s Basmanny District Court on charges of alleged involvement in an extremist group. Navalnaya, who currently resides abroad, would face arrest upon her return to Russia.
Navalny, a prominent critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, passed away in February while serving a 19-year sentence on extremism charges that he claimed were politically motivated. His widow, Navalnaya, has accused Putin of being responsible for her husband's death and has vowed to continue his work.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has condemned the court's decision, describing it as an attack on freedom and democracy. Navalnaya herself criticized the ruling on social media, suggesting that Putin should be the one facing prosecution.
Russian authorities have not specified the exact charges against Navalnaya, but they are believed to be linked to the designation of Navalny’s Foundation for Fighting Corruption as an extremist organization. This move led to the forced exodus of Navalny's associates and team members from Russia.
The crackdown on opposition figures, journalists, and dissenting voices in Russia has escalated following the country's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Several journalists have been imprisoned on similar charges related to their coverage of Navalny.
The Kremlin has consistently denied any involvement in Navalny's poisoning and subsequent death, as well as the allegations of political repression against opposition figures. The situation continues to draw international condemnation and calls for justice.
