The European Parliament's annual human rights honour, the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, has been awarded to Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny for his work to expose corruption and measures to curtail freedoms in Russia.

Navalny was chosen as the recipient of the prize by European legislators on October 20, according to the European People's Party Group, after being shortlisted with a group of Afghan women and a jailed Bolivian opposition leader.&nbsp;

"He has campaigned consistently against the corruption of Vladimir Putin’s regime, and through his social-media accounts and political campaigns, Navalny has helped expose abuses and mobilize the support of millions of people across Russia. For this, he was poisoned and thrown in jail," European Parliament President David Sassoli said in a statement announcing the award.

Every year, the Sakharov Prize, named after Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, is presented to people working for human rights or democracy.

Last year's prize of 50,000 euros ($58,000) went to a movement in Belarus challenging President Alexander Lukashenko, a close supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The award will be presented during a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg in December.

The other nominees for the prize were a group of Afghan women for their battle for women's rights in Taliban-run Afghanistan, and Jeanine Anez, a former Bolivian president who is currently imprisoned on allegations of organising a coup in 2019.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The European Parliament's annual human rights honour, the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, has been awarded to Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny for his work to expose corruption and measures to curtail freedoms in Russia.

The European Parliament's annual human rights honour, the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, has been awarded to Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny for his work to expose corruption and measures to curtail freedoms in Russia. Navalny was chosen as the recipient of the prize by European legislators on October 20, according to the European People's Party Group, after being shortlisted with a group of Afghan women and a jailed Bolivian opposition leader. "He has campaigned consistently against the corruption of Vladimir Putin’s regime, and through his social-media accounts and political campaigns, Navalny has helped expose abuses and mobilize the support of millions of people across Russia. For this, he was poisoned and thrown in jail," European Parliament President David Sassoli said in a statement announcing the award. Every year, the Sakharov Prize, named after Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, is presented to people working for human rights or democracy. Last year's prize of 50,000 euros ($58,000) went to a movement in Belarus challenging President Alexander Lukashenko, a close supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The award will be presented during a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg in December. The other nominees for the prize were a group of Afghan women for their battle for women's rights in Taliban-run Afghanistan, and Jeanine Anez, a former Bolivian president who is currently imprisoned on allegations of organising a coup in 2019. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia's Navalny wins Sakharov prize, EU's top human rights award 

The European Parliament on Wednesday gave its&nbsp;Sakharov&nbsp;Prize for Freedom of Thought -- the&nbsp;EU's top&nbsp;human rights&nbsp;award&nbsp;-- to jailed Russian opposition figure Alexei&nbsp;Navalny.

The anti-corruption campaigner, who last year survived a poisoning attack he blames on the&nbsp;Kremlin, is Russian President Vladimir Putin's best-known domestic opponent.&nbsp;

After returning to Russia in January from Germany, where he was treated for the attack, he was convicted on old embezzlement charges and is now imprisoned in a penal colony outside Moscow, but continues to needle Putin.

His winning the&nbsp;Sakharov&nbsp;Prize, backed by parliament's main political groups, will further embitter ties between the Europe Union and Russia that have been at a low since the annexation of Crimea by Moscow in 2014.

Navalny&nbsp;"has shown great courage in his attempts to restore the freedom of choice to the Russian people," said European Parliament vice president Heidi Hautala, announcing the prize.

"For many years he has fought for&nbsp;human rights&nbsp;and fundamental freedom in his country. This is costing his freedom and nearly his life," she added in a plenary session in the French city of Strasbourg.

Navalny, 45, was nominated but passed over for this year's Nobel Peace Prize.

His movement in Russia has been banned as "extremist" by the&nbsp;Kremlin&nbsp;and some of his allies have been forced to leave Russia under pressure from authorities.&nbsp;

The group, called the Anti Corruption Foundation, called the prize a victory for all supporters of "truth".

"The&nbsp;Sakharov&nbsp;Price is, of course, an&nbsp;award&nbsp;for you all. To all the people who are not indifferent, who even in the darkest of times are not afraid to speak the truth," it said on Twitter.

The European Parliament's biggest grouping, the conservative EPP group, called on Putin "to free Alexei&nbsp;Navalny. Europe calls for his -- and all other political prisoners' -- freedom".

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg hailed the&nbsp;award&nbsp;and said it was recognition of&nbsp;Navalny's "important role... in supporting democratic values and being a strong voice in Russia".

He also called for&nbsp;Navalny's unconditional release from prison and for an international investigation of his poisoning.

Navalny, a father-of-two, has remained upbeat and still communicates with supporters from behind bars via social media accounts.

"Don't worry, I'll be released no later than spring 2051," he wrote on Instagram last month.

In winter 2011-2012,&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;led the first mass protests against Putin's rule that attracted tens of thousands and were sparked by widespread claims of vote-rigging in parliamentary elections.

He upped the ante in 2013 by running for Moscow mayor, finishing second to a Putin ally.

The following year, he was found guilty on fraud charges in a case Europe's&nbsp;rights&nbsp;court deemed "arbitrary" and&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;said was contrived to bar him from future elections.&nbsp;

In 2018, he was barred from the vote that handed Putin his fourth presidential term.

The&nbsp;Sakharov&nbsp;Prize, set up in 1988 and named after Soviet dissident Andrei&nbsp;Sakharov, is awarded every year to those fighting for&nbsp;human rights&nbsp;or democracy.

Last year, the 50,000-euro ($58,000) prize went to the movement opposing President Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus, a close ally of Putin.

This year, the prize will be handed out in a ceremony in a plenary session of the European Parliament on December 15 in Strasbourg.

The other finalists for the 2021 prize were a group of Afghan women who fought for women's&nbsp;rights&nbsp;in now Taliban-run Afghanistan, and Jeanine Anez, a former head of state in Bolivia who is jailed on charges of leading a coup in 2019.

The European Parliament on Wednesday gave its Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought -- the EU's top human rights award -- to jailed Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny.

The European Parliament on Wednesday gave its Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought -- the EU's top human rights award -- to jailed Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny. The anti-corruption campaigner, who last year survived a poisoning attack he blames on the Kremlin, is Russian President Vladimir Putin's best-known domestic opponent. After returning to Russia in January from Germany, where he was treated for the attack, he was convicted on old embezzlement charges and is now imprisoned in a penal colony outside Moscow, but continues to needle Putin. His winning the Sakharov Prize, backed by parliament's main political groups, will further embitter ties between the Europe Union and Russia that have been at a low since the annexation of Crimea by Moscow in 2014. Navalny "has shown great courage in his attempts to restore the freedom of choice to the Russian people," said European Parliament vice president Heidi Hautala, announcing the prize. "For many years he has fought for human rights and fundamental freedom in his country. This is costing his freedom and nearly his life," she added in a plenary session in the French city of Strasbourg. Navalny, 45, was nominated but passed over for this year's Nobel Peace Prize. His movement in Russia has been banned as "extremist" by the Kremlin and some of his allies have been forced to leave Russia under pressure from authorities. The group, called the Anti Corruption Foundation, called the prize a victory for all supporters of "truth". "The Sakharov Price is, of course, an award for you all. To all the people who are not indifferent, who even in the darkest of times are not afraid to speak the truth," it said on Twitter. The European Parliament's biggest grouping, the conservative EPP group, called on Putin "to free Alexei Navalny. Europe calls for his -- and all other political prisoners' -- freedom". NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg hailed the award and said it was recognition of Navalny's "important role... in supporting democratic values and being a strong voice in Russia". He also called for Navalny's unconditional release from prison and for an international investigation of his poisoning. Navalny, a father-of-two, has remained upbeat and still communicates with supporters from behind bars via social media accounts. "Don't worry, I'll be released no later than spring 2051," he wrote on Instagram last month. In winter 2011-2012, Navalny led the first mass protests against Putin's rule that attracted tens of thousands and were sparked by widespread claims of vote-rigging in parliamentary elections. He upped the ante in 2013 by running for Moscow mayor, finishing second to a Putin ally. The following year, he was found guilty on fraud charges in a case Europe's rights court deemed "arbitrary" and Navalny said was contrived to bar him from future elections. In 2018, he was barred from the vote that handed Putin his fourth presidential term. The Sakharov Prize, set up in 1988 and named after Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, is awarded every year to those fighting for human rights or democracy. Last year, the 50,000-euro ($58,000) prize went to the movement opposing President Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus, a close ally of Putin. This year, the prize will be handed out in a ceremony in a plenary session of the European Parliament on December 15 in Strasbourg. The other finalists for the 2021 prize were a group of Afghan women who fought for women's rights in now Taliban-run Afghanistan, and Jeanine Anez, a former head of state in Bolivia who is jailed on charges of leading a coup in 2019.

Navalny wins EU's Sakharov freedom award

Russians vote on Sunday in the final stretch of a three-day parliamentary election that the ruling party is expected to win after a sweeping crackdown that crushed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's movement and barred opponents from the ballot.

The expected win by the ruling United Russia party will be used by the Kremlin as proof of support for President Vladimir Putin despite malaise over years of faltering living standards.

The party that backs Russia's 68-year-old leader faces a ratings slump, state pollsters say, but remains more popular than its closest rivals on the ballot, the Communist Party and nationalist LDPR party, which often back the Kremlin.

United Russia holds nearly three quarters of the State Duma's 450 seats. That dominance last year helped the Kremlin pass constitutional reforms that allow Putin to run for two more terms as president after 2024, potentially staying in power until 2036.

"If United Russia manages (to win), our country can expect another five years of poverty, five years of repressions, five lost years," ran a message to supporters on Navalny's blog this week.

Navalny's allies were barred from running after his movement was banned in June as extremist. Other opposition figures allege they were targeted with dirty tricks campaigns or not allowed to compete.

A Communist strawberry tycoon says he was unfairly barred, while a liberal opposition politician in St Petersburg says two identically-named "spoiler" candidates are running against him to confuse his voters.

TACTICAL VOTING

The Kremlin denies a politically-driven crackdown and says individuals are prosecuted for breaking the law. Both it and United Russia deny any role in the registration process for candidates.

Navalny's camp is promoting a tactical voting ploy against United Russia that authorities want blocked online. Since voting began on Friday, Google, Apple and Telegram messenger have limited some access to the campaign on their platforms. Activists accuse them of caving to pressure.

The election runs until 1800 GMT on Sunday when polling stations close in the European exclave of Kaliningrad. It is the last national vote before the 2024 presidential election. Putin, who turns 69 next month, has not said if he will run.

In Moscow, Navalny's tactical voting campaign has recommended their supporters vote for politicians like the Communist Party's Mikhail Lobanov. He said he welcomed the Navalny campaign and criticised United Russia.

"People see the glaring inequalities, they feel the effects of economic policy and the swell of repression and respond with dissatisfaction accordingly," Lobanov said.

At a polling station in Lobanov's district, three people told Reuters they had voted for United Russia and three said they had voted Communist, two of them at the behest of Navalny's team.

One Moscow pensioner who gave his name only as Anatoly said he voted United Russia because he was proud of Russia's muscular foreign policy and Putin's efforts to restore what he sees as Russia's rightful great power status.

"Countries like the United States and Britain more or less respect us now like they respected the Soviet Union in the 1960s and 70s… The Anglo-Saxons only understand the language of force," he said.

Other voters voiced anger at United Russia at a polling station in the capital of more than 12.5 million where United Russia has fared worse in recent years than in some regions.

"I'm always against United Russia. They haven't done anything good," said Roman Malakhov who voted Communist.

The vote is being held alongside elections for regional governors and local legislative assemblies. It is stretched over three days as a COVID-19 precaution.

Russians vote on Sunday in the final stretch of a three-day parliamentary election that the ruling party is expected to win after a sweeping crackdown that crushed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's movement and barred opponents from the ballot.

Russians vote on Sunday in the final stretch of a three-day parliamentary election that the ruling party is expected to win after a sweeping crackdown that crushed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's movement and barred opponents from the ballot. The expected win by the ruling United Russia party will be used by the Kremlin as proof of support for President Vladimir Putin despite malaise over years of faltering living standards. The party that backs Russia's 68-year-old leader faces a ratings slump, state pollsters say, but remains more popular than its closest rivals on the ballot, the Communist Party and nationalist LDPR party, which often back the Kremlin. United Russia holds nearly three quarters of the State Duma's 450 seats. That dominance last year helped the Kremlin pass constitutional reforms that allow Putin to run for two more terms as president after 2024, potentially staying in power until 2036. "If United Russia manages (to win), our country can expect another five years of poverty, five years of repressions, five lost years," ran a message to supporters on Navalny's blog this week. Navalny's allies were barred from running after his movement was banned in June as extremist. Other opposition figures allege they were targeted with dirty tricks campaigns or not allowed to compete. A Communist strawberry tycoon says he was unfairly barred, while a liberal opposition politician in St Petersburg says two identically-named "spoiler" candidates are running against him to confuse his voters. TACTICAL VOTING The Kremlin denies a politically-driven crackdown and says individuals are prosecuted for breaking the law. Both it and United Russia deny any role in the registration process for candidates. Navalny's camp is promoting a tactical voting ploy against United Russia that authorities want blocked online. Since voting began on Friday, Google, Apple and Telegram messenger have limited some access to the campaign on their platforms. Activists accuse them of caving to pressure. The election runs until 1800 GMT on Sunday when polling stations close in the European exclave of Kaliningrad. It is the last national vote before the 2024 presidential election. Putin, who turns 69 next month, has not said if he will run. In Moscow, Navalny's tactical voting campaign has recommended their supporters vote for politicians like the Communist Party's Mikhail Lobanov. He said he welcomed the Navalny campaign and criticised United Russia. "People see the glaring inequalities, they feel the effects of economic policy and the swell of repression and respond with dissatisfaction accordingly," Lobanov said. At a polling station in Lobanov's district, three people told Reuters they had voted for United Russia and three said they had voted Communist, two of them at the behest of Navalny's team. One Moscow pensioner who gave his name only as Anatoly said he voted United Russia because he was proud of Russia's muscular foreign policy and Putin's efforts to restore what he sees as Russia's rightful great power status. "Countries like the United States and Britain more or less respect us now like they respected the Soviet Union in the 1960s and 70s… The Anglo-Saxons only understand the language of force," he said. Other voters voiced anger at United Russia at a polling station in the capital of more than 12.5 million where United Russia has fared worse in recent years than in some regions. "I'm always against United Russia. They haven't done anything good," said Roman Malakhov who voted Communist. The vote is being held alongside elections for regional governors and local legislative assemblies. It is stretched over three days as a COVID-19 precaution.

Pro-Putin party heads for Russian election win after Navalny clampdown

Britain and United States on Friday sanctioned 7 Russian officials for poisoning of jailed kremlin-critic Alexei Navalny. Friday (August 20) marked a year of near-fatal poisoning of Navalny.

All sanctioned individuals are members of Russia's domestic security service the FSB. They are accused of planning or carrying out the nerve agent attack.

These individuals now face asset freezes and travel bans under the sanctions.

The measures are the second round of reprisals by Britain for the poisoning, after it targeted six individuals and one entity in October 2020.

The United States and European Union also imposed a round of their own sanctions in March. &nbsp;

Western intelligence agencies have assessed with "high confidence" that FSB officers poisoned Navalny with the nerve agent Novichok last year.

The dissident was flown to Germany for treatment but defiantly returned in January, only to be arrested and then sent to a penal colony.

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the latest sanctions were "sending a clear message that any use of chemical weapons by the Russian state violates international law".

He reiterated Western calls for a "transparent criminal investigation" into the poisoning.&nbsp;

"We urge Russia to declare its full stock of Novichok nerve agents," Raab added, saying there should be no impunity for the use of chemical weapons.

(With inputs from agencies)

Britain and United States on Friday sanctioned 7 Russian officials for poisoning of jailed kremlin-critic Alexei Navalny. Friday (August 20) marked a year of near-fatal poisoning of Navalny.

Britain and United States on Friday sanctioned 7 Russian officials for poisoning of jailed kremlin-critic Alexei Navalny. Friday (August 20) marked a year of near-fatal poisoning of Navalny. All sanctioned individuals are members of Russia's domestic security service the FSB. They are accused of planning or carrying out the nerve agent attack. These individuals now face asset freezes and travel bans under the sanctions. The measures are the second round of reprisals by Britain for the poisoning, after it targeted six individuals and one entity in October 2020. The United States and European Union also imposed a round of their own sanctions in March. Western intelligence agencies have assessed with "high confidence" that FSB officers poisoned Navalny with the nerve agent Novichok last year. The dissident was flown to Germany for treatment but defiantly returned in January, only to be arrested and then sent to a penal colony. British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the latest sanctions were "sending a clear message that any use of chemical weapons by the Russian state violates international law". He reiterated Western calls for a "transparent criminal investigation" into the poisoning. "We urge Russia to declare its full stock of Novichok nerve agents," Raab added, saying there should be no impunity for the use of chemical weapons. (With inputs from agencies)

Navalny poisoning: Seven more Russians sanctioned by UK, US

The&nbsp;brother&nbsp;of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;was sentenced on Friday to a one-year&nbsp;suspended&nbsp;sentence&nbsp;for breaching coronavirus regulations earlier this year.

Along with several other opposition figures, Oleg&nbsp;Navalny, 38, was accused of calling for Russians to attend an unsanctioned rally in January in support of his&nbsp;brother, who had returned to&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;after being treated in Germany for a near-fatal poisoning attack.

Moscow's Preobrazhensky district court on Friday also slapped a&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;ally, Nikolai Lyaskin, with a year of restricted movement in the same case.

The 39-year-old activist said that the court had banned him from leaving his home between 10 pm and 6 am as well as from attending mass events and leaving Moscow.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-blocks-websites-linked-to-kremlin-critic-khodorkovsky-403055">Also read |&nbsp;Russia blocks websites linked to Kremlin critic Khodorkovsky</a>

Russia's opposition says authorities have stepped up a campaign of intimidation against dissenters ahead of a parliamentary vote in September, allegations the Kremlin has rejected.&nbsp;

In June,&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;declared&nbsp;Navalny's organisations extremist and barred his allies from running in the polls.

Earlier this week a court sentenced another key&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;ally, Lyubov Sobol, to a year and a half of restricted movement in the same case.&nbsp;

In 2014, Alexei and Oleg&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;were convicted in a fraud trial related to their work for French cosmetics company Yves Rocher.

While the opposition politician received a three-and-a-half-year&nbsp;suspended&nbsp;sentence, his&nbsp;brother&nbsp;was jailed for the same amount of time in a move activists compared to hostage taking. Oleg&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;served out his&nbsp;sentence&nbsp;in full and was freed in 2018.

Alexei&nbsp;Navalny, 45, who survived a near fatal poisoning with a Soviet-designed nerve agent last summer, was imprisoned in February for two-and-a-half-years on old embezzlement charges.

The brother of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny was sentenced on Friday to a one-year suspended sentence for breaching coronavirus regulations earlier this year.

The brother of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny was sentenced on Friday to a one-year suspended sentence for breaching coronavirus regulations earlier this year. Along with several other opposition figures, Oleg Navalny, 38, was accused of calling for Russians to attend an unsanctioned rally in January in support of his brother, who had returned to Russia after being treated in Germany for a near-fatal poisoning attack. Moscow's Preobrazhensky district court on Friday also slapped a Navalny ally, Nikolai Lyaskin, with a year of restricted movement in the same case. The 39-year-old activist said that the court had banned him from leaving his home between 10 pm and 6 am as well as from attending mass events and leaving Moscow. Also read | Russia blocks websites linked to Kremlin critic Khodorkovsky Russia's opposition says authorities have stepped up a campaign of intimidation against dissenters ahead of a parliamentary vote in September, allegations the Kremlin has rejected. In June, Russia declared Navalny's organisations extremist and barred his allies from running in the polls. Earlier this week a court sentenced another key Navalny ally, Lyubov Sobol, to a year and a half of restricted movement in the same case. In 2014, Alexei and Oleg Navalny were convicted in a fraud trial related to their work for French cosmetics company Yves Rocher. While the opposition politician received a three-and-a-half-year suspended sentence, his brother was jailed for the same amount of time in a move activists compared to hostage taking. Oleg Navalny served out his sentence in full and was freed in 2018. Alexei Navalny, 45, who survived a near fatal poisoning with a Soviet-designed nerve agent last summer, was imprisoned in February for two-and-a-half-years on old embezzlement charges.

Russia hands Navalny's brother suspended sentence

The website of Navalny's top strategist, Leonid Volkov, and longtime ally Lyubov Sobol were among 49 links that had been blocked.

Russia blocks access to websites of Alexei Navalny

Kremlin-critic Alexei Navalny's ally said on Monday that Russia media regulator had blocked 49 websites linked to Navalny

"By the decision of the prosecutor general's office, 49 websites were blocked simultaneously," key Navalny aide Leonid Volkov said on his Telegram channel on Monday.

Blocked websites include Navalny's main website, the website of his Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), the websites of key allies and of Navalny's regional offices that disbanded earlier this year. &nbsp;

AFP journalists said Navalny's website was unavailable in Russia.&nbsp;

"The night of the long knives," Volkov wrote in reference to a bloody purge of military and political rivals launched by Adolf Hitler in Germany.&nbsp;

Volkov said that only site not blocked was the "Smart Voting". It talks about Navalny-proposed strategy to support candidates best placed to defeat Kremlin-linked politicians. This strategy has seen ruling United Russia Party lose a number of seats in past

Navalny is currently in jail for two-and-a-half years on old charges of fraud. He was arrested in January after he returned to Russia after receiving treatment for nerve agent poisoning he blames on Kremlin.

(With inputs from agencies)

Kremlin-critic Alexei Navalny's ally said on Monday that Russia media regulator had blocked 49 websites linked to Navalny "By the decision of the prosecutor general's office, 49 websites were blocked simultaneously," key Navalny aide Leonid Volkov said on his Telegram channel on Monday.

Kremlin-critic Alexei Navalny's ally said on Monday that Russia media regulator had blocked 49 websites linked to Navalny "By the decision of the prosecutor general's office, 49 websites were blocked simultaneously," key Navalny aide Leonid Volkov said on his Telegram channel on Monday. Blocked websites include Navalny's main website, the website of his Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), the websites of key allies and of Navalny's regional offices that disbanded earlier this year. AFP journalists said Navalny's website was unavailable in Russia. "The night of the long knives," Volkov wrote in reference to a bloody purge of military and political rivals launched by Adolf Hitler in Germany. Volkov said that only site not blocked was the "Smart Voting". It talks about Navalny-proposed strategy to support candidates best placed to defeat Kremlin-linked politicians. This strategy has seen ruling United Russia Party lose a number of seats in past Navalny is currently in jail for two-and-a-half years on old charges of fraud. He was arrested in January after he returned to Russia after receiving treatment for nerve agent poisoning he blames on Kremlin. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia blocked 49 Navalny-linked websites, says aide

A Russian legal group that has defended organisations of Kremlin-critic Alexei Navalny on Sunday said that it was disbanding due to fears of criminal sanctions.

Team 29 said that after a request from prosecutors, its website had been blocked. The prosecutors accuse the group of having links with a Czech organisation that has been called "undesirable"

Pressure on critics has been stepped up following Navalny's arrest and imprisonment. Russian authorities can ban groups declared "undesirable organisations" and members face up to six years in prison.&nbsp;

Saint Petersburg-based Team 29 describes itself as an association of lawyers and journalists fighting for freedom of speech in Russia, where it is known for defending people accused of treason.&nbsp;

The group rejected any link to the Czech organisation and denounced the accusations as "fanciful".&nbsp;

"But we cannot ignore the position of the security forces," the group said in a statement posted on the Telegram messenger.

They feared that "the next step in the attack" would be criminal proceedings against its members and supporters.

"Our lawyers and jurists will continue to work on their clients' cases solely independently," the statement said.&nbsp;

The group said it had deleted all its online archives to avoid any risk.&nbsp;

Team 29 head Ivan Pavlov was arrested in April while he was acting for Navalny and faces accusations of disclosing information about a preliminary investigation.&nbsp;

The courts designated Navalny's organisations as extremist in June, paving the way for a crackdown on his allies.

(With inputs from agencies)

A Russian legal group that has defended organisations of Kremlin-critic Alexei Navalny on Sunday said that it was disbanding due to fears of criminal sanctions. Team 29 said that after a request from prosecutors, its website had been blocked.

A Russian legal group that has defended organisations of Kremlin-critic Alexei Navalny on Sunday said that it was disbanding due to fears of criminal sanctions. Team 29 said that after a request from prosecutors, its website had been blocked. The prosecutors accuse the group of having links with a Czech organisation that has been called "undesirable" Pressure on critics has been stepped up following Navalny's arrest and imprisonment. Russian authorities can ban groups declared "undesirable organisations" and members face up to six years in prison. Saint Petersburg-based Team 29 describes itself as an association of lawyers and journalists fighting for freedom of speech in Russia, where it is known for defending people accused of treason. The group rejected any link to the Czech organisation and denounced the accusations as "fanciful". "But we cannot ignore the position of the security forces," the group said in a statement posted on the Telegram messenger. They feared that "the next step in the attack" would be criminal proceedings against its members and supporters. "Our lawyers and jurists will continue to work on their clients' cases solely independently," the statement said. The group said it had deleted all its online archives to avoid any risk. Team 29 head Ivan Pavlov was arrested in April while he was acting for Navalny and faces accusations of disclosing information about a preliminary investigation. The courts designated Navalny's organisations as extremist in June, paving the way for a crackdown on his allies. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia: Legal group having links with Navalny disbands

The State Department has said the US believes Navalny was poisoned by the Russian security services last year when he felt ill during a flight to Moscow and fell into a coma.

Biden warned Putin of consequences if Navalny dies in prison

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Geneva on Wednesday for the summit with US President Biden.

The Russian leader was joined by President Biden at the 18th-century villa amid high security as both leaders prepared to start&nbsp;the high profile summit&nbsp;amid tensions between Washington and Moscow over several issues.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-5-us-russia-presidential-meetings-that-shaped-history-391734/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The US president began the meeting with Putin saying it was "always better to meet face to face".

The two leaders are set to discuss cyberattacks, alleged Russian meddling in US elections, among other issues.

There will be no joint press conference and no meals are planned for the two leaders.

The Biden administration had imposed sanctions against Russia in April over the alleged SolarWinds cyberattack amid the announcement of the summit.

Biden is expected to raise the incarceration of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny with Putin. The Russian opposition leader is serving a jail term in the country and his organisation has been outlawed as extremist.

Biden had said earlier that it would be a "tragedy" if Navalny were to die in prison.

Ahead of the talks, Putin had offered to swap prisoners after Biden said US citizens detained in Russia would be on the agenda.

Biden had earlier said that he had conveyed to Putin that "the days of the United States rolling over in the face of Russia's aggressive actions, interfering with our elections, cyberattacks and poisoning its citizens are over", a move which was criticised by Kremlin as "aggressive" and "unconstructive rhetoric".

(With inputs from Agencies) 
&nbsp;

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Geneva on Wednesday for the summit with US President Biden. The Russian leader was joined by President Biden at the 18th-century villa amid high security as both leaders prepared to start the high profile summit amid tensions between Washington and Moscow over several issues.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Geneva on Wednesday for the summit with US President Biden. The Russian leader was joined by President Biden at the 18th-century villa amid high security as both leaders prepared to start the high profile summit amid tensions between Washington and Moscow over several issues. Watch: The US president began the meeting with Putin saying it was "always better to meet face to face". The two leaders are set to discuss cyberattacks, alleged Russian meddling in US elections, among other issues. There will be no joint press conference and no meals are planned for the two leaders. The Biden administration had imposed sanctions against Russia in April over the alleged SolarWinds cyberattack amid the announcement of the summit. Biden is expected to raise the incarceration of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny with Putin. The Russian opposition leader is serving a jail term in the country and his organisation has been outlawed as extremist. Biden had said earlier that it would be a "tragedy" if Navalny were to die in prison. Ahead of the talks, Putin had offered to swap prisoners after Biden said US citizens detained in Russia would be on the agenda. Biden had earlier said that he had conveyed to Putin that "the days of the United States rolling over in the face of Russia's aggressive actions, interfering with our elections, cyberattacks and poisoning its citizens are over", a move which was criticised by Kremlin as "aggressive" and "unconstructive rhetoric". (With inputs from Agencies)

Always better to meet face to face, Biden tells Putin at Geneva summit

A Russian court on Wednesday outlawed groups linked to jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny after declaring them "extremist", a move that bans his allies from elections and will further strain U.S.-Russia ties before a closely watched summit.

President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden are due to hold talks in Geneva next week with the fate of Navalny and the crackdown on his movement certain to be on the agenda.

Washington, which has asked Moscow to free Navalny, condemned the court decision, with the State Department calling it "particularly disturbing." The Kremlin says the matter is a purely domestic one and not Biden's business. It has portrayed Navalny as a U.S.-backed trouble maker, something Navalny has denied.

Wednesday's ruling, the latest chapter in a long-running crackdown on Putin's fiercest domestic opponent, delivers a final hammer blow to a vast political network that Navalny built up over many years to try to challenge the veteran Russian leader's grip on power.

Putin, 68, has been in power as either president or prime minister since 1999. Navalny, in jail for parole violations related to an embezzlement case he says was trumped up, had mounted a bold challenge to Putin via street protests and graft investigations which he had hoped would bring about a change of leadership.

The legal case against Navalny's network was brought by the office of Moscow's top prosecutor who had accused Navalny and his allies of trying to foment a revolution by seeking to destabilize the socio-political situation inside Russia with their activity.

A spokesperson for the Moscow prosecutor's office told reporters on Wednesday that he was pleased with the ruling which had recognized that Navalny's allies had organized illegal street rallies that had ended in mass unrest.

After a 12.5 hour legal hearing behind closed doors, Navalny's lawyers said in a statement they would appeal and that the evidence presented by prosecutors had not been satisfactory.

The legal offensive mirrors ones waged in the past against far-right groups, Islamist organizations, and the Jehovah's Witnesses which were also declared "extremist" by courts and banned.

Navalny and his allies denied the prosecutor's allegations, casting them as an attempt to try to crush their political opposition to the ruling United Russia party ahead of parliamentary elections in September.

In a message posted on Navalny's Instagram account apparently drafted in anticipation of what was a widely expected ruling, Navalny was cited as urging his supporters to not be disheartened. "We're not going anywhere," the message read. 
"We'll digest this, sort things out, change, and evolve. We'll adapt. We won't step back from our aims and ideas. This is our country and we do not have another one."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/navalny-dedicates-human-rights-award-to-political-prisoners-in-russia-and-belarus-390311">Also Read |&nbsp;Navalny dedicates human rights award to political prisoners in Russia and Belarus&nbsp;</a>

The prosecutor's request formally ends the activity of a network of groups set up by Navalny, 45, who is serving a 2-1/2 year jail term, something many Western countries have portrayed as politically motivated revenge for his anti-Kremlin political activities.

Specifically, the ruling targets Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation which has produced high-profile investigations into alleged official corruption, and Navalny's regional campaign headquarters which have mobilized in the past to organize anti-Kremlin protests.

The authorities now have the formal power to jail activists and freeze their bank accounts if they continue their activities. The case had already prompted Navalny's allies to suspend the groups even before the ruling.

In the run-up to the verdict, Putin last week signed legislation that barred members of "extremist" organizations from running for office. Combined with Wednesday's ruling, the new legislation ends hopes by some Navalny allies to run for parliament.

They say they will try to use a smart or tactical voting strategy instead to seek to undermine support for the pro-Kremlin ruling party, a strategy Kremlin sources have belittled.

A Russian court on Wednesday outlawed groups linked to jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny after declaring them "extremist", a move that bans his allies from elections and will further strain U.

A Russian court on Wednesday outlawed groups linked to jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny after declaring them "extremist", a move that bans his allies from elections and will further strain U.S.-Russia ties before a closely watched summit. President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden are due to hold talks in Geneva next week with the fate of Navalny and the crackdown on his movement certain to be on the agenda. Washington, which has asked Moscow to free Navalny, condemned the court decision, with the State Department calling it "particularly disturbing." The Kremlin says the matter is a purely domestic one and not Biden's business. It has portrayed Navalny as a U.S.-backed trouble maker, something Navalny has denied. Wednesday's ruling, the latest chapter in a long-running crackdown on Putin's fiercest domestic opponent, delivers a final hammer blow to a vast political network that Navalny built up over many years to try to challenge the veteran Russian leader's grip on power. Putin, 68, has been in power as either president or prime minister since 1999. Navalny, in jail for parole violations related to an embezzlement case he says was trumped up, had mounted a bold challenge to Putin via street protests and graft investigations which he had hoped would bring about a change of leadership. The legal case against Navalny's network was brought by the office of Moscow's top prosecutor who had accused Navalny and his allies of trying to foment a revolution by seeking to destabilize the socio-political situation inside Russia with their activity. A spokesperson for the Moscow prosecutor's office told reporters on Wednesday that he was pleased with the ruling which had recognized that Navalny's allies had organized illegal street rallies that had ended in mass unrest. After a 12.5 hour legal hearing behind closed doors, Navalny's lawyers said in a statement they would appeal and that the evidence presented by prosecutors had not been satisfactory. The legal offensive mirrors ones waged in the past against far-right groups, Islamist organizations, and the Jehovah's Witnesses which were also declared "extremist" by courts and banned. Navalny and his allies denied the prosecutor's allegations, casting them as an attempt to try to crush their political opposition to the ruling United Russia party ahead of parliamentary elections in September. In a message posted on Navalny's Instagram account apparently drafted in anticipation of what was a widely expected ruling, Navalny was cited as urging his supporters to not be disheartened. "We're not going anywhere," the message read. "We'll digest this, sort things out, change, and evolve. We'll adapt. We won't step back from our aims and ideas. This is our country and we do not have another one." Also Read | Navalny dedicates human rights award to political prisoners in Russia and Belarus The prosecutor's request formally ends the activity of a network of groups set up by Navalny, 45, who is serving a 2-1/2 year jail term, something many Western countries have portrayed as politically motivated revenge for his anti-Kremlin political activities. Specifically, the ruling targets Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation which has produced high-profile investigations into alleged official corruption, and Navalny's regional campaign headquarters which have mobilized in the past to organize anti-Kremlin protests. The authorities now have the formal power to jail activists and freeze their bank accounts if they continue their activities. The case had already prompted Navalny's allies to suspend the groups even before the ruling. In the run-up to the verdict, Putin last week signed legislation that barred members of "extremist" organizations from running for office. Combined with Wednesday's ruling, the new legislation ends hopes by some Navalny allies to run for parliament. They say they will try to use a smart or tactical voting strategy instead to seek to undermine support for the pro-Kremlin ruling party, a strategy Kremlin sources have belittled.

Russian court outlaws Kremlin critic Navalny's network in pre-election knockout

Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny received a human rights award on Tuesday, May 8, and he dedicated the prize to all the political prisoners in Russia and Belarus.&nbsp;

The Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy, which is an annual conference sponsored by 25 human rights NGOs all across the globe, gave the Moral Courage Award to Navalny.&nbsp;

Navalny has been imprisoned in a penal colony near Moscow for four months now. He was sentenced to over three years in prison by a Moscow court in February for violating the terms of his probation linked to a 2014 ruling.&nbsp;

Navalny's daughter, Daria Navalny, in a virtual speech accepting the award on his behalf, said, “My dad asked me today to give this award to every single political prisoner in Russia and Belarus”.&nbsp;

Citing a letter she received from her father, she said, “He wrote that most of them are in a much worse situation compared to me because they're not well known or famous. They should know that they are not alone or forgotten about”.

She described herself "as a proud daughter and as a Russian citizen, concerned about the fast downfall of democracy in my country”.&nbsp;

Navalny will be required to spend two years and eight months in prison as he has served a year on house arrest in 2014. Doctors have expressed concerns about his health while in prison.&nbsp;

Navalny also temporarily went on a hunger strike at one point to gain access to better medical care. He began refusing food to demand treatment for acute pain in his back that’s spreading to his legs, and an end to prison guards waking him each hour.&nbsp;

As per his supporters, Navalny had already lost eight kilograms in the three weeks before beginning the hunger strike, taking his weight to 85 kilograms.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny received a human rights award on Tuesday, May 8, and he dedicated the prize to all the political prisoners in Russia and Belarus.

Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny received a human rights award on Tuesday, May 8, and he dedicated the prize to all the political prisoners in Russia and Belarus. The Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy, which is an annual conference sponsored by 25 human rights NGOs all across the globe, gave the Moral Courage Award to Navalny. Navalny has been imprisoned in a penal colony near Moscow for four months now. He was sentenced to over three years in prison by a Moscow court in February for violating the terms of his probation linked to a 2014 ruling. Navalny's daughter, Daria Navalny, in a virtual speech accepting the award on his behalf, said, “My dad asked me today to give this award to every single political prisoner in Russia and Belarus”. Citing a letter she received from her father, she said, “He wrote that most of them are in a much worse situation compared to me because they're not well known or famous. They should know that they are not alone or forgotten about”. She described herself "as a proud daughter and as a Russian citizen, concerned about the fast downfall of democracy in my country”. Navalny will be required to spend two years and eight months in prison as he has served a year on house arrest in 2014. Doctors have expressed concerns about his health while in prison. Navalny also temporarily went on a hunger strike at one point to gain access to better medical care. He began refusing food to demand treatment for acute pain in his back that’s spreading to his legs, and an end to prison guards waking him each hour. As per his supporters, Navalny had already lost eight kilograms in the three weeks before beginning the hunger strike, taking his weight to 85 kilograms. (With inputs from agencies)

Navalny dedicates human rights award to political prisoners in Russia and Belarus 

Russian President Putin signs 'extremist' bill, effectively banning certain groups from contesting elections. Critics believe that the bill would bar Navalny's allies from elections.

Russia: Is the 'Navalny network' an 'extremist' group?

Alexei Navalny, the Kremlin&nbsp;critic currently in prison, has claimed that three new criminal investigations have been initiated against him by Russian authorities.

In an Instagram post published on Tuesday, he said he learned about the cases from an investigator who had visited him on Monday.

"I'm becoming a more hardened criminal every day," he said in the post.&nbsp;"So don't think I'm only sitting in a cell, drinking tea and doing nothing”, he added.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/alexei-navalnys-regional-political-network-banned-381824/embed" width="560"></iframe>

Navalny said that investigators are currently looking into alleged theft of donations from his anti-corruption foundation called FKB, violation of human rights, and insulting a judge. Earlier, the Russian Investigative Committee had said that it initiated investigations into FKB and human rights violations allegedly committed by Navalny and his allies.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/russia-seeks-to-outlaw-navalny-movement-385599" hreflang="en">Russia seeks to outlaw Navalny movement&nbsp;</a>

In February, a prosecutor had requested the Investigative Committee to look into Navalny’s statements during one of his trials and to see whether any of his words could qualify as being insulting towards the judge.

Navalny has remained in custody since he returned from Germany after his treatment. He was poisoned using a Soviet era nerve agency called Novichok. This has been confirmed by German medical authorities.

Russia has denied any involvement in his poisoning, but Navalny pins the full blame on Russian officials. He has been seen as Putin’s largest critic in the country. His treatment spurred a series of pro-Navalny protests across Russia which were quelled by Russian authorities. The use of force against protesters invited global ire.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/russia-jails-former-mayor-roizman-over-tweets-in-support-of-navalny-384753" hreflang="en">Russia jails former mayor Roizman over tweets in support of Navalny</a>

&nbsp;

Alexei Navalny, the Kremlin critic currently in prison, has claimed that three new criminal investigations have been initiated against him by Russian authorities.

Alexei Navalny, the Kremlin critic currently in prison, has claimed that three new criminal investigations have been initiated against him by Russian authorities. In an Instagram post published on Tuesday, he said he learned about the cases from an investigator who had visited him on Monday. "I'm becoming a more hardened criminal every day," he said in the post. "So don't think I'm only sitting in a cell, drinking tea and doing nothing”, he added. Navalny said that investigators are currently looking into alleged theft of donations from his anti-corruption foundation called FKB, violation of human rights, and insulting a judge. Earlier, the Russian Investigative Committee had said that it initiated investigations into FKB and human rights violations allegedly committed by Navalny and his allies. Also read: Russia seeks to outlaw Navalny movement In February, a prosecutor had requested the Investigative Committee to look into Navalny’s statements during one of his trials and to see whether any of his words could qualify as being insulting towards the judge. Navalny has remained in custody since he returned from Germany after his treatment. He was poisoned using a Soviet era nerve agency called Novichok. This has been confirmed by German medical authorities. Russia has denied any involvement in his poisoning, but Navalny pins the full blame on Russian officials. He has been seen as Putin’s largest critic in the country. His treatment spurred a series of pro-Navalny protests across Russia which were quelled by Russian authorities. The use of force against protesters invited global ire. Also read: Russia jails former mayor Roizman over tweets in support of Navalny

'Becoming a hardened criminal': Navalny says Russia has launched three new criminal probes against him

A Russian court is set to hear an 'extremism' case against the political network of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny on Monday as Moscow seeks to outlaw the opposition to President Vladimir Putin.&nbsp;

The closed court hearing is part of a sweeping crackdown on Putin's most prominent critic and his supporters after Navalny barely survived a poisoning with the Novichok nerve agent last summer.&nbsp;

As part of the effort, which comes a few months before parliamentary elections, the lower house is set on Tuesday to begin debating a bill banning members of 'extremist' organisations from being elected lawmakers.&nbsp;

Prosecutors in April requested that Navalny's regional network and his Anti-Corruption Foundation be designated 'extremist' organisations, accusing them of plotting to stage a Western-backed uprising in Russia. &nbsp;

Such a court ruling would put Navalny and his supporters and financial backers on a par with members of the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda and threaten them with long prison sentences.&nbsp;

"The opposition will be crushed," Abbas Gallyamov, an independent political analyst and former Kremlin speechwriter, said, warning that the official ban on dissent would eventually backfire.&nbsp;

"By destroying the opposition, they are destroying their own legitimacy," Gallyamov said, referring to Russian authorities.&nbsp;

Navalny emerged as a top leader of Russia's opposition movement a decade ago, leading huge anti-Kremlin rallies sparked by claims of electoral fraud in 2011.&nbsp;

Established in 2011, the Anti-Corruption Foundation has published numerous investigations into the lavish lifestyles of Russia's elite. &nbsp;

Navalny's probe into a Black Sea palace Russian tycoons allegedly built for Putin has racked up more than 116 million views on YouTube since its release in January. Putin denies the palace is his.&nbsp;

Even though Navalny was not allowed to run against Putin in a presidential election in 2018, authorities had for years tolerated his political movement, which relies on donations from supporters.&nbsp;

But analysts say the Kremlin is willing to take no chances ahead of parliamentary elections in September as public fatigue is growing with Putin's two-decade rule and the coronavirus pandemic exacerbates economic woes.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A Russian court is set to hear an 'extremism' case against the political network of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny on Monday as Moscow seeks to outlaw the opposition to President Vladimir Putin.

A Russian court is set to hear an 'extremism' case against the political network of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny on Monday as Moscow seeks to outlaw the opposition to President Vladimir Putin. The closed court hearing is part of a sweeping crackdown on Putin's most prominent critic and his supporters after Navalny barely survived a poisoning with the Novichok nerve agent last summer. As part of the effort, which comes a few months before parliamentary elections, the lower house is set on Tuesday to begin debating a bill banning members of 'extremist' organisations from being elected lawmakers. Prosecutors in April requested that Navalny's regional network and his Anti-Corruption Foundation be designated 'extremist' organisations, accusing them of plotting to stage a Western-backed uprising in Russia. Such a court ruling would put Navalny and his supporters and financial backers on a par with members of the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda and threaten them with long prison sentences. "The opposition will be crushed," Abbas Gallyamov, an independent political analyst and former Kremlin speechwriter, said, warning that the official ban on dissent would eventually backfire. "By destroying the opposition, they are destroying their own legitimacy," Gallyamov said, referring to Russian authorities. Navalny emerged as a top leader of Russia's opposition movement a decade ago, leading huge anti-Kremlin rallies sparked by claims of electoral fraud in 2011. Established in 2011, the Anti-Corruption Foundation has published numerous investigations into the lavish lifestyles of Russia's elite. Navalny's probe into a Black Sea palace Russian tycoons allegedly built for Putin has racked up more than 116 million views on YouTube since its release in January. Putin denies the palace is his. Even though Navalny was not allowed to run against Putin in a presidential election in 2018, authorities had for years tolerated his political movement, which relies on donations from supporters. But analysts say the Kremlin is willing to take no chances ahead of parliamentary elections in September as public fatigue is growing with Putin's two-decade rule and the coronavirus pandemic exacerbates economic woes. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia seeks to outlaw Navalny movement 

A Russian court on Wednesday sentenced popular opposition politician Yevgeny Roizman to nine days in jail for urging people to join demonstrations in support of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

The sentence follows a wave of court rulings that have sidelined or sent into exile allies of Navalny, who was jailed by authorities in February for more than two years on old embezzlement charges he says are politically motivated.

Roizman, 58, was mayor of Russia's fourth-largest city Yekaterinburg between 2013 and 2018 and frequently participates in rallies organised by the opposition, including Navalny.

Roizman said on Twitter that he was accused of organising protests on January 31 and April 21 through posts on his Twitter account that has close to 500,000 followers.

A court in Yekaterinburg found him guilty and sentenced Roizman to nine days in jail on both charges, the state-run TASS news agency reported.

The jail terms will be served simultaneously, so the politician will spend a total of nine days behind bars.

Roizman pleaded not guilty to both offences.

Earlier in March, he was fined 20,000 rubles (around $270) for taking part in rallies in January.

The winter marches were held in cities across Russia after Navalny, 44, returned to Moscow from Germany, where he was recovering from nerve agent poisoning.

Telegram messenger fined

Navalny was taken into custody for allegedly breaching parole terms and in February sentenced to two-and-a-half years in a penal colony.

He announced a hunger strike in late March, demanding proper medical treatment for pain in his back and numbness in his legs, sparking fresh nationwide rallies on April 21.

He ended his hunger strike after 24 days.

The rallies were met with a harsh response from authorities, with participants receiving fines and short jail terms and some facing several years in prison.

Russia has also ramped up pressure on domestic and foreign social networks, accusing them of refusing to delete opposition content.

On Wednesday, popular encrypted messenger Telegram was slapped with a fine of five million rubles ($67,000) for not removing calls "inciting minors" to join protests, Russian news agencies reported.

Moscow has repeatedly fined foreign internet companies, including Facebook, Google and Twitter, for failing to comply with Russian legislation.

Last month, Russia also throttled Twitter's services in the country, saying the platform did not remove illegal content on its request.

A Russian court on Wednesday sentenced popular opposition politician Yevgeny Roizman to nine days in jail for urging people to join demonstrations in support of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

A Russian court on Wednesday sentenced popular opposition politician Yevgeny Roizman to nine days in jail for urging people to join demonstrations in support of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. The sentence follows a wave of court rulings that have sidelined or sent into exile allies of Navalny, who was jailed by authorities in February for more than two years on old embezzlement charges he says are politically motivated. Roizman, 58, was mayor of Russia's fourth-largest city Yekaterinburg between 2013 and 2018 and frequently participates in rallies organised by the opposition, including Navalny. Roizman said on Twitter that he was accused of organising protests on January 31 and April 21 through posts on his Twitter account that has close to 500,000 followers. A court in Yekaterinburg found him guilty and sentenced Roizman to nine days in jail on both charges, the state-run TASS news agency reported. The jail terms will be served simultaneously, so the politician will spend a total of nine days behind bars. Roizman pleaded not guilty to both offences. Earlier in March, he was fined 20,000 rubles (around $270) for taking part in rallies in January. The winter marches were held in cities across Russia after Navalny, 44, returned to Moscow from Germany, where he was recovering from nerve agent poisoning. Telegram messenger fined Navalny was taken into custody for allegedly breaching parole terms and in February sentenced to two-and-a-half years in a penal colony. He announced a hunger strike in late March, demanding proper medical treatment for pain in his back and numbness in his legs, sparking fresh nationwide rallies on April 21. He ended his hunger strike after 24 days. The rallies were met with a harsh response from authorities, with participants receiving fines and short jail terms and some facing several years in prison. Russia has also ramped up pressure on domestic and foreign social networks, accusing them of refusing to delete opposition content. On Wednesday, popular encrypted messenger Telegram was slapped with a fine of five million rubles ($67,000) for not removing calls "inciting minors" to join protests, Russian news agencies reported. Moscow has repeatedly fined foreign internet companies, including Facebook, Google and Twitter, for failing to comply with Russian legislation. Last month, Russia also throttled Twitter's services in the country, saying the platform did not remove illegal content on its request.

Russia jails former mayor Roizman over tweets in support of Navalny

Kremlin-critic Alexei Navalny's key aide said on Thursday that his organisation was disbanding its national network ahead of possible court ruling that may declare it an extremist organisation.

The announcement came as Navalny made his first video appearance in court since ending a hunger strike last week, appearing gaunt in a prison uniform and with a buzz haircut.

The hearing is a part of an appeal by Navalny against defamation sentence imposed in February. During the hearing, Navalny said he had lost more weight but had started eating again.

"I was taken to a bathhouse yesterday... there was a mirror there, I looked at myself -- I am just a horrible skeleton," Navalny told the court, according to an audio recording released by the independent Dozhd television channel.

Another court was holding a hearing Thursday into a request from prosecutors that Navalny's regional network and his Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) be recognised as extremist, equating the organisations with the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-court-restricts-activities-of-navalnys-anti-corruption-foundation-380793">Russian court restricts activities of Navalny's anti-corruption foundation</a> 
 
If the request is met, their activities would be banned, putting members and supporters at risk of lengthy jail time.

The head of the regional networks said Thursday it had already been decided to shutter the network.

"We are officially disbanding Navalny's network," Leonid Volkov said in a video posted on social media.&nbsp; 
He said some of the offices would continue their activities as independent organisations.&nbsp;

Earlier this week, prosecutors ordered the network to suspend its activities ahead of the ruling and a court imposed sweeping bans on FBK.

FBK was launched in 2011 and routinely releases investigations into alleged corruption by officials at all levels of government, often accompanied by YouTube videos.

(With inputs from agencies)

Kremlin-critic Alexei Navalny's key aide said on Thursday that his organisation was disbanding its national network ahead of possible court ruling that may declare it an extremist organisation.

Kremlin-critic Alexei Navalny's key aide said on Thursday that his organisation was disbanding its national network ahead of possible court ruling that may declare it an extremist organisation. The announcement came as Navalny made his first video appearance in court since ending a hunger strike last week, appearing gaunt in a prison uniform and with a buzz haircut. The hearing is a part of an appeal by Navalny against defamation sentence imposed in February. During the hearing, Navalny said he had lost more weight but had started eating again. "I was taken to a bathhouse yesterday... there was a mirror there, I looked at myself -- I am just a horrible skeleton," Navalny told the court, according to an audio recording released by the independent Dozhd television channel. Another court was holding a hearing Thursday into a request from prosecutors that Navalny's regional network and his Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) be recognised as extremist, equating the organisations with the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda. Also Read | Russian court restricts activities of Navalny's anti-corruption foundation If the request is met, their activities would be banned, putting members and supporters at risk of lengthy jail time. The head of the regional networks said Thursday it had already been decided to shutter the network. "We are officially disbanding Navalny's network," Leonid Volkov said in a video posted on social media. He said some of the offices would continue their activities as independent organisations. Earlier this week, prosecutors ordered the network to suspend its activities ahead of the ruling and a court imposed sweeping bans on FBK. FBK was launched in 2011 and routinely releases investigations into alleged corruption by officials at all levels of government, often accompanied by YouTube videos. (With inputs from agencies)

Alexei Navalny's political network disbands ahead of 'extremism' ruling

A group of rights experts from the United Nations sounded the alarm over Navalny’s condition on Wednesday, while asking for his evacuation from Russia on medical grounds. "We believe Mr Navalny's life is in serious danger," AFP cited the four independent experts as saying.

They urged Russian authorities to allow Navalny’s evacuation “for urgent medical treatment abroad”. In addition, the experts highlighted the burden of accountability which lies on Russia. “The Russian government is accountable for Mr Navalny's life and health while he is in detention”, they said.

Navalny is currently on a hunger strike in a penal colony. He has reportedly been jailed under harsh conditions and has been denied adequate medical care. Russian authorities have also barred him from seeing a doctor of this choice.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/russian-police-detain-eight-at-navalny-protests-in-far-east-379005" hreflang="en">Russian police detain eight at Navalny protests in far east</a>

"We are deeply troubled that Mr Navalny is being kept in conditions that could amount to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment," the experts added.

The experts were appointed by the United Nations but do not speak on behalf of the organisation. Protesters recently gathered across Russia in support of Navalny. The police made multiple arrests during the protests.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/navalny-supporters-seek-to-drown-out-putin-speech-with-mass-protests-378954" hreflang="en">Navalny supporters seek to drown out Putin speech with mass protests</a>

Since January, Navalny has remained detained in Russia. He was earlier in Germany recovering from a poisoning which he blames on Russia.

(With inputs from agencies)

A group of rights experts from the United Nations sounded the alarm over Navalny’s condition on Wednesday, while asking for his evacuation from Russia on medical grounds.

A group of rights experts from the United Nations sounded the alarm over Navalny’s condition on Wednesday, while asking for his evacuation from Russia on medical grounds. "We believe Mr Navalny's life is in serious danger," AFP cited the four independent experts as saying. They urged Russian authorities to allow Navalny’s evacuation “for urgent medical treatment abroad”. In addition, the experts highlighted the burden of accountability which lies on Russia. “The Russian government is accountable for Mr Navalny's life and health while he is in detention”, they said. Navalny is currently on a hunger strike in a penal colony. He has reportedly been jailed under harsh conditions and has been denied adequate medical care. Russian authorities have also barred him from seeing a doctor of this choice. Also read: Russian police detain eight at Navalny protests in far east "We are deeply troubled that Mr Navalny is being kept in conditions that could amount to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment," the experts added. The experts were appointed by the United Nations but do not speak on behalf of the organisation. Protesters recently gathered across Russia in support of Navalny. The police made multiple arrests during the protests. Also read: Navalny supporters seek to drown out Putin speech with mass protests Since January, Navalny has remained detained in Russia. He was earlier in Germany recovering from a poisoning which he blames on Russia. (With inputs from agencies)

Navalny in 'serious danger', requires immediate medical help: UN experts

The Russian Police has arrested eight people in Russia's far-eastern city of Magadan on Wednesday, according to the Open Russia opposition group, as protests began across the country over Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's deteriorating health in prison.

Several Navalny allies were detained on Wednesday morning, hours before President Vladimir Putin was due to deliver a state-of-the-nation speech.

Yesterday, The Moscow government had refused to authorize rallies scheduled for April 21 and May 1 because of the coronavirus, the Russian capital's security department had said on Tuesday.

The department said that the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, and the Moscow Trade Union Federation were among those who submitted appeals to have public rallies across Moscow authorized for April 21 and May 1.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Russian Police has arrested eight people in Russia's far-eastern city of Magadan on Wednesday, according to the Open Russia opposition group, as protests began across the country over Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's deteriorating health in prison.

The Russian Police has arrested eight people in Russia's far-eastern city of Magadan on Wednesday, according to the Open Russia opposition group, as protests began across the country over Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's deteriorating health in prison. Several Navalny allies were detained on Wednesday morning, hours before President Vladimir Putin was due to deliver a state-of-the-nation speech. Yesterday, The Moscow government had refused to authorize rallies scheduled for April 21 and May 1 because of the coronavirus, the Russian capital's security department had said on Tuesday. The department said that the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, and the Moscow Trade Union Federation were among those who submitted appeals to have public rallies across Moscow authorized for April 21 and May 1. (With inputs from agencies)

Russian police detain eight at Navalny protests in far east

President Vladimir Putin will deliver a state-of-the-nation speech to Russians on Wednesday as supporters of his fiercest critic, Alexei&nbsp;Navalny, plan nationwide protests over his deteriorating health in jail.

Putin, who makes a point of never uttering&nbsp;Navalny's name, has said his speech to both houses of parliament will focus on projects to boost economic growth, which has been hit by foreign sanctions, low oil prices and the coronavirus pandemic.

But as he starts his address at noon (0900 GMT), demonstrators in the far east port of Vladivostok are due to take to the streets in the first of a wave of rolling protests across Russia in support of the 44-year-old&nbsp;Navalny, gravely weakened by a three-week hunger strike.

Both sides are braced for a showdown. Previous rallies in support of&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;have been broken up by force, with thousands of arrests, and authorities have said Wednesday's gatherings will be illegal.

The trial of strength will be closely watched abroad, at a time of deep crisis in Russia's relations with the West over its treatment of&nbsp;Navalny, a major build-up of troops on the Ukrainian border and a rash of other issues that led Washington to impose new sanctions on Moscow last week, and the Kremlin to respond in kind.

Navalny, who survived a nerve agent poisoning last year that Russia denies carrying out, was sentenced in February to 2-1/2 years for parole violations related to an embezzlement case that he says was politically motivated.

He went on hunger strike on March 31 over what he said was the refusal of prison authorities to provide him with adequate treatment for acute leg and back pain. Officials say he has received normal medical care, as would any other convict.

Navalny's supporters have called for what they hope will be the biggest protests in modern Russian history, saying his life is hanging by a thread and demanding he receives proper medical attention.

On the eve of the protests, monitoring group OVD-Info reported police raids at&nbsp;Navalny's regional offices in the cities of Krasnodar and Kurgan, and arrests of individual activists in about a dozen cities.&nbsp;Navalny's team has said protests will be held in more than 100 cities and towns.

The venue for Putin's address, the Manege exhibition hall adjacent to the Kremlin, stands on the square&nbsp;Navalny's allies have designated as the location of their rally in Moscow on Wednesday evening.

President Vladimir Putin will deliver a state-of-the-nation speech to Russians on Wednesday as supporters of his fiercest critic, Alexei Navalny, plan nationwide protests over his deteriorating health in jail.

President Vladimir Putin will deliver a state-of-the-nation speech to Russians on Wednesday as supporters of his fiercest critic, Alexei Navalny, plan nationwide protests over his deteriorating health in jail. Putin, who makes a point of never uttering Navalny's name, has said his speech to both houses of parliament will focus on projects to boost economic growth, which has been hit by foreign sanctions, low oil prices and the coronavirus pandemic. But as he starts his address at noon (0900 GMT), demonstrators in the far east port of Vladivostok are due to take to the streets in the first of a wave of rolling protests across Russia in support of the 44-year-old Navalny, gravely weakened by a three-week hunger strike. Both sides are braced for a showdown. Previous rallies in support of Navalny have been broken up by force, with thousands of arrests, and authorities have said Wednesday's gatherings will be illegal. The trial of strength will be closely watched abroad, at a time of deep crisis in Russia's relations with the West over its treatment of Navalny, a major build-up of troops on the Ukrainian border and a rash of other issues that led Washington to impose new sanctions on Moscow last week, and the Kremlin to respond in kind. Navalny, who survived a nerve agent poisoning last year that Russia denies carrying out, was sentenced in February to 2-1/2 years for parole violations related to an embezzlement case that he says was politically motivated. He went on hunger strike on March 31 over what he said was the refusal of prison authorities to provide him with adequate treatment for acute leg and back pain. Officials say he has received normal medical care, as would any other convict. Navalny's supporters have called for what they hope will be the biggest protests in modern Russian history, saying his life is hanging by a thread and demanding he receives proper medical attention. On the eve of the protests, monitoring group OVD-Info reported police raids at Navalny's regional offices in the cities of Krasnodar and Kurgan, and arrests of individual activists in about a dozen cities. Navalny's team has said protests will be held in more than 100 cities and towns. The venue for Putin's address, the Manege exhibition hall adjacent to the Kremlin, stands on the square Navalny's allies have designated as the location of their rally in Moscow on Wednesday evening.

Navalny supporters seek to drown out Putin speech with mass protests

Opposition leader Alexei Navalny is fighting for life in Russia for over three weeks. Navanly has been on a hunger strike and his health has deteriorated over the weekend. &nbsp;

Navalny's doctor warned that he could die 'at any moment'. Alexei Navalny is the most prominent critic of Vladimir Putin in Russia. &nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-alexei-navalny-could-die-any-minute-378694/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Navalny is in jail since March and has also been on a hunger strike. Reports say prison authorities refused to provide him with adequate medical care for an acute leg and back pain. So, Navalny went on a hunger strike and his condition worsened. &nbsp;

On Sunday, his doctors tried to visit him in prison but they were denied access. On Monday, Navalny was transferred to a hospital in another jail. &nbsp;

Opposition leaders have spoken up for him. Nearly a dozen politicians in Russia have published an open letter to President Putin. They hold Putin personally responsible for the life of Navalny. Moscow has neither responded nor expressed any concern. &nbsp;

The situation is escalating. Navalny's allies have announced rallies across Russia on Wednesday. They've started a petition and said if 500,000 supporters sign it, they will launch street protests again. As of Sunday, the petition was 50,000 signatures shy of its target.&nbsp;

Navalny's health could lead to an international showdown. The European Union has told Russia that Navalny must receive medical aid. The United States is considering sanctions. US national security advisor Jake Sullivan has issued a statement. He says the Biden administration is weighing options to punish Russia if Navalny dies in prison. &nbsp;

Navalny perhaps knew what was coming in January. He said, he had no plans to commit suicide in prison as his life hangs in the balance. &nbsp;

Information about Navalny's health remains scarce. The Russian penitential system has released a statement, saying that the Kremlin critic was moved for 'treatment with vitamins'. Russian authorities say Navalny's health is satisfactory. The West is watching him closely. &nbsp;

Opposition leader Alexei Navalny is fighting for life in Russia for over three weeks. Navanly has been on a hunger strike and his health has deteriorated over the weekend.

Opposition leader Alexei Navalny is fighting for life in Russia for over three weeks. Navanly has been on a hunger strike and his health has deteriorated over the weekend. Navalny's doctor warned that he could die 'at any moment'. Alexei Navalny is the most prominent critic of Vladimir Putin in Russia. Navalny is in jail since March and has also been on a hunger strike. Reports say prison authorities refused to provide him with adequate medical care for an acute leg and back pain. So, Navalny went on a hunger strike and his condition worsened. On Sunday, his doctors tried to visit him in prison but they were denied access. On Monday, Navalny was transferred to a hospital in another jail. Opposition leaders have spoken up for him. Nearly a dozen politicians in Russia have published an open letter to President Putin. They hold Putin personally responsible for the life of Navalny. Moscow has neither responded nor expressed any concern. The situation is escalating. Navalny's allies have announced rallies across Russia on Wednesday. They've started a petition and said if 500,000 supporters sign it, they will launch street protests again. As of Sunday, the petition was 50,000 signatures shy of its target. Navalny's health could lead to an international showdown. The European Union has told Russia that Navalny must receive medical aid. The United States is considering sanctions. US national security advisor Jake Sullivan has issued a statement. He says the Biden administration is weighing options to punish Russia if Navalny dies in prison. Navalny perhaps knew what was coming in January. He said, he had no plans to commit suicide in prison as his life hangs in the balance. Information about Navalny's health remains scarce. The Russian penitential system has released a statement, saying that the Kremlin critic was moved for 'treatment with vitamins'. Russian authorities say Navalny's health is satisfactory. The West is watching him closely.

World watches closely as Navalny fights for life in Russia  

Eleven Russian politicians signed an open letter demanding an independent doctor be immediately allowed to see Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, news channel CNN reported.

These 11 politicians represent several regional parliaments of Russia.

According to CNN, the letter states that "You, the President of the Russian Federation, personally bear responsibility for the life of Navalny on the territory of the Russian Federation, including in prison facilities". 
 
Watch | Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny ‘could die at any moment: Doctors

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/kremlin-critic-alexei-navalny-could-die-at-any-moment-doctors-378509/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The US&nbsp;on Sunday warned Russia of consequences if Navalny died in prison. Doctors have said on Saturday that the jailed politician can die "any minute". Aides have called for nationwide protests to ensure there was no harm to Navalny's life. Navalny is currently on a hunger strike inside the jail.

US President Joe Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that Washington had warned the Kremlin that it would be "held accountable by the international community" if Navalny died. Sullivan added that Kremlin was told, "that there will be consequences if Mr Navalny dies."

Biden had said on Saturday that Navalny's plight was "totally, totally unfair, totally inappropriate".

(With inputs from agencies)

Eleven Russian politicians signed an open letter demanding an independent doctor be immediately allowed to see Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, news channel CNN reported.

Eleven Russian politicians signed an open letter demanding an independent doctor be immediately allowed to see Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, news channel CNN reported. These 11 politicians represent several regional parliaments of Russia. According to CNN, the letter states that "You, the President of the Russian Federation, personally bear responsibility for the life of Navalny on the territory of the Russian Federation, including in prison facilities". Watch | Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny ‘could die at any moment: Doctors The US on Sunday warned Russia of consequences if Navalny died in prison. Doctors have said on Saturday that the jailed politician can die "any minute". Aides have called for nationwide protests to ensure there was no harm to Navalny's life. Navalny is currently on a hunger strike inside the jail. US President Joe Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that Washington had warned the Kremlin that it would be "held accountable by the international community" if Navalny died. Sullivan added that Kremlin was told, "that there will be consequences if Mr Navalny dies." Biden had said on Saturday that Navalny's plight was "totally, totally unfair, totally inappropriate". (With inputs from agencies)

Health of Navalny threatens his life: Russian politicians to President Vladimir Putin

Alexei Navalny, the jailed Kremlin critic can 'die any minute' as a result of his rapidly deteriorating health, doctors warned on Saturday. They have urged immediate access to Navalny. He is on a hunger strike since March 31 to demand proper medical treatment for back pain and numbness in his legs and hands. He was jailed in February.

Navalny's personal doctor Anastasia Vasilyeva and three more doctors including cardiologist Yaroslav Ashikhmin have asked prison officials to grant them immediate access.

"Our patient can die any minute," Ashikhmin said on Facebook on Saturday, pointing to the opposition politician's high potassium levels and saying Navalny should be moved to intensive care.&nbsp;

"Fatal arrhythmia can develop any minute."&nbsp;

In August last year, Navalny survived poisoning with Novichok nerve agent. He has blamed the poisoning attempt on Kremlin.

'Alexei is dying'

Navalny's spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh, who accompanied him when he collapsed on a plane after the poisoning in August, said the situation was critical again.

"Alexei is dying," she said on Facebook. "With his condition it's a matter of days."

She said she felt like she was "on that plane again, only this time it's landing in slow motion", pointing out that access to Navalny was restricted and few Russians were aware of what was actually going on with him in prison.

Alexei Navalny, the jailed Kremlin critic can 'die any minute' as a result of his rapidly deteriorating health, doctors warned on Saturday. They have urged immediate access to Navalny.

Alexei Navalny, the jailed Kremlin critic can 'die any minute' as a result of his rapidly deteriorating health, doctors warned on Saturday. They have urged immediate access to Navalny. He is on a hunger strike since March 31 to demand proper medical treatment for back pain and numbness in his legs and hands. He was jailed in February. Navalny's personal doctor Anastasia Vasilyeva and three more doctors including cardiologist Yaroslav Ashikhmin have asked prison officials to grant them immediate access. "Our patient can die any minute," Ashikhmin said on Facebook on Saturday, pointing to the opposition politician's high potassium levels and saying Navalny should be moved to intensive care. "Fatal arrhythmia can develop any minute." In August last year, Navalny survived poisoning with Novichok nerve agent. He has blamed the poisoning attempt on Kremlin. 'Alexei is dying' Navalny's spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh, who accompanied him when he collapsed on a plane after the poisoning in August, said the situation was critical again. "Alexei is dying," she said on Facebook. "With his condition it's a matter of days." She said she felt like she was "on that plane again, only this time it's landing in slow motion", pointing out that access to Navalny was restricted and few Russians were aware of what was actually going on with him in prison.

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny can 'die any minute', say doctors

The United States on Sunday warned Russia of consequences if Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny died in prison. Doctors have said on Saturday that the jailed politician can die "any minute". Aides of Navalny have called for nationwide protests to ensure there was no harm to Navalny's life. Navalny is currently on a hunger strike inside the jail.

US President Joe Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that Washington had warned the Kremlin that it would be "held accountable by the international community" if Navalny died. Sullivan added that Kremlin was told "that there will be consequences if Mr Navalny dies."

Biden had said on Saturday that Navalny's plight was "totally, totally unfair, totally inappropriate".

On Sunday, France, Germany and the European Union (EU) joined growing chorus over Navalny's plight. EU foreign ministers are going to discuss the situation on Monday.

Russia has increasingly found itself cornered on many global issues. It is facing heat for its troop buildup near border with Ukraine. US has expelled Russian diplomats alleging Russian interference in US Election. Condition of Alexei Navalny may prove to be another front for Russia to face the global political heat.

Call for Nationwide protests in Russia

Navalny's team on Sunday <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alexei-navalny-aides-call-for-protests-to-save-his-life-378419">called for massive protests across Russia</a> on Wednesday evening, just hours after Putin is set to deliver his state of nation address.

"It's time to act. We are talking not just about Navalny's freedom but his life," Navalny's right-hand man Leonid Volkov said on Facebook.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alexei-navalny-aides-call-for-protests-to-save-his-life-378419">Alexei Navalny aides call for protests to save his life</a>

Volkov said Wednesday's rally could become a decisive battle against "absolute evil" or Russia's last opposition rally for years to come.

"Call on all your acquaintances and take to central squares," wrote Volkov, who heads Navalny's regional offices, adding that the protests should be massive.

(With inputs from agencies)

The United States on Sunday warned Russia of consequences if Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny died in prison. Doctors have said on Saturday that the jailed politician can die "any minute".

The United States on Sunday warned Russia of consequences if Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny died in prison. Doctors have said on Saturday that the jailed politician can die "any minute". Aides of Navalny have called for nationwide protests to ensure there was no harm to Navalny's life. Navalny is currently on a hunger strike inside the jail. US President Joe Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that Washington had warned the Kremlin that it would be "held accountable by the international community" if Navalny died. Sullivan added that Kremlin was told "that there will be consequences if Mr Navalny dies." Biden had said on Saturday that Navalny's plight was "totally, totally unfair, totally inappropriate". On Sunday, France, Germany and the European Union (EU) joined growing chorus over Navalny's plight. EU foreign ministers are going to discuss the situation on Monday. Russia has increasingly found itself cornered on many global issues. It is facing heat for its troop buildup near border with Ukraine. US has expelled Russian diplomats alleging Russian interference in US Election. Condition of Alexei Navalny may prove to be another front for Russia to face the global political heat. Call for Nationwide protests in Russia Navalny's team on Sunday called for massive protests across Russia on Wednesday evening, just hours after Putin is set to deliver his state of nation address. "It's time to act. We are talking not just about Navalny's freedom but his life," Navalny's right-hand man Leonid Volkov said on Facebook. Also Read | Alexei Navalny aides call for protests to save his life Volkov said Wednesday's rally could become a decisive battle against "absolute evil" or Russia's last opposition rally for years to come. "Call on all your acquaintances and take to central squares," wrote Volkov, who heads Navalny's regional offices, adding that the protests should be massive. (With inputs from agencies)

US warns Russia of 'consequences' if Alexei Navalny dies

Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny risks dying in prison as he continues a hunger strike to press authorities into allowing him proper medical care.

Navalny said that he was suffering from heavy cough and fever, but would continue a hunger strike he launched last week demanding adequate medical treatment. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kremlin-critic-navalny-in-strong-pain-allies-fear-for-his-life-373158">Also read: Kremlin critic Navalny in 'strong' pain, allies fear for his life</a> 
 
Navalny, 44, began refusing food on Wednesday to demand treatment for acute pain in his back that’s spreading to his legs, and an end to prison guards waking him each hour. He had already lost eight kilograms (18 pounds) in the three weeks before beginning the hunger strike, taking his weight to 85 kilograms, his supporters said.

In a post on his Instagram Monday, Navalny reported new ailments.

"I am quoting the official data from today's temperature measurement: 'Navalny A.A., strong cough, temperature 38.1'," he wrote, referring to degrees Celsius, or 100.6 degrees Fahrenheit.

"P.S. I am continuing my hunger strike, of course," Navalny said.

Later the pro-Kremlin Izvestia daily said that Navalny had been transferred to a medical unit for observation, with "signs of a respiratory problem, notably a high fever".

All the necessary tests were carried out, including a coronavirus test, the paper said, citing prison services.

There was no confirmation of such a transfer from the Navalny camp.

The opposition politician is serving a two-and-a-half-year sentence on old fraud charges, in a penal colony in the town of Pokrov some 100 kilometres (62 miles) east of Moscow known for its harsh discipline.

Doctors' protest

His latest statement from the colony comes after pro-Kremlin media on Friday launched an offensive aiming to disprove his complaints of mistreatment and lack of medical attention.

Two reports in pro-Kremlin outlets described Navalny as looking "quite normal" and saying he is incarcerated in a colony that is "practically exemplary".

In his post-Monday, Navalny said the reports had "not a single word of truth".

As evidence, he wrote that a third person out of the 15 inmates in his unit had been hospitalised with tuberculosis since his arrival at the penal colony in February.

"I am surprised that there is no Ebola virus here," he quipped, adding: "such is our 'ideal, exemplary colony'."

Navalny was arrested on his return to Russia in January, after spending months in Germany recovering from a poisoning last summer that he blames on the Kremlin.

Earlier this month, Navalny, who is considered a flight risk by authorities, filed two complaints against prison officials, saying he is woken eight times a night by guards announcing to a recording camera that he is still in his cell.

The Alliance of Doctors medical trade union said it would organise a protest outside the penal colony in Pokrov on Tuesday, demanding Navalny receive adequate medical treatment.

The group, which was branded a "foreign agent" by Russia's justice ministry last month, is headed by Navalny's doctor Anastasia Vasilyeva.

"We are going there to understand what the hell is going on at this terrible colony," she wrote on Twitter.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny risks dying in prison as he continues a hunger strike to press authorities into allowing him proper medical care. Navalny said that he was suffering from heavy cough and fever, but would continue a hunger strike he launched last week demanding adequate medical treatment.

Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny risks dying in prison as he continues a hunger strike to press authorities into allowing him proper medical care. Navalny said that he was suffering from heavy cough and fever, but would continue a hunger strike he launched last week demanding adequate medical treatment. Also read: Kremlin critic Navalny in 'strong' pain, allies fear for his life Navalny, 44, began refusing food on Wednesday to demand treatment for acute pain in his back that’s spreading to his legs, and an end to prison guards waking him each hour. He had already lost eight kilograms (18 pounds) in the three weeks before beginning the hunger strike, taking his weight to 85 kilograms, his supporters said. In a post on his Instagram Monday, Navalny reported new ailments. "I am quoting the official data from today's temperature measurement: 'Navalny A.A., strong cough, temperature 38.1'," he wrote, referring to degrees Celsius, or 100.6 degrees Fahrenheit. "P.S. I am continuing my hunger strike, of course," Navalny said. Later the pro-Kremlin Izvestia daily said that Navalny had been transferred to a medical unit for observation, with "signs of a respiratory problem, notably a high fever". All the necessary tests were carried out, including a coronavirus test, the paper said, citing prison services. There was no confirmation of such a transfer from the Navalny camp. The opposition politician is serving a two-and-a-half-year sentence on old fraud charges, in a penal colony in the town of Pokrov some 100 kilometres (62 miles) east of Moscow known for its harsh discipline. Doctors' protest His latest statement from the colony comes after pro-Kremlin media on Friday launched an offensive aiming to disprove his complaints of mistreatment and lack of medical attention. Two reports in pro-Kremlin outlets described Navalny as looking "quite normal" and saying he is incarcerated in a colony that is "practically exemplary". In his post-Monday, Navalny said the reports had "not a single word of truth". As evidence, he wrote that a third person out of the 15 inmates in his unit had been hospitalised with tuberculosis since his arrival at the penal colony in February. "I am surprised that there is no Ebola virus here," he quipped, adding: "such is our 'ideal, exemplary colony'." Navalny was arrested on his return to Russia in January, after spending months in Germany recovering from a poisoning last summer that he blames on the Kremlin. Earlier this month, Navalny, who is considered a flight risk by authorities, filed two complaints against prison officials, saying he is woken eight times a night by guards announcing to a recording camera that he is still in his cell. The Alliance of Doctors medical trade union said it would organise a protest outside the penal colony in Pokrov on Tuesday, demanding Navalny receive adequate medical treatment. The group, which was branded a "foreign agent" by Russia's justice ministry last month, is headed by Navalny's doctor Anastasia Vasilyeva. "We are going there to understand what the hell is going on at this terrible colony," she wrote on Twitter. (With inputs from agencies)

Navalny says continuing hunger strike despite cough and fever, risks death in prison

Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny is in great pain, his lawyer said Thursday after visiting him in prison, adding that allies were afraid for his life.

His supporters said a day earlier they were concerned by a deterioration in his health and his lawyers said they had not been allowed to visit him in prison. They returned on Thursday to try to see him.

Leonid Volkov, a close&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;ally, has said that&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;began to experience serious back pain last week, had felt a numbness in his leg and been unable to stand on it. He was given two Ibuprofen pills for the pain, Volkov said.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alexei-navalnys-health-deteriorating-in-prison-claim-his-lawyers-372939">Alexei Navalny's health deteriorating in prison, claim his lawyers</a>

The Federal Penitentiary Service said earlier on Thursday that the 44-year-old opposition politician's health was stable and satisfactory.

It said prisons in the Vladimir region, where&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;is being held, had carried out medical examinations on inmates on Wednesday. The checks had been conducted at inmates' request, it said, and&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;had been examined, too.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-intel-blames-kremlin-for-poisoning-of-navalny-367726/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"His health is deemed stable and satisfactory, according to the results of the examination," the penitentiary service said, according to the Interfax news agency.

"He is suffering from strong back pain and pain in his right leg," lawyer Olga Mikhailova said in remarks on Dozhd television.

'Really worried'

"Now we are really worried,"&nbsp;Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation wrote on Twitter. "Even the Federal Penitentiary Service can’t call&nbsp;Navalny’s condition `good'."

Nearly 160 cultural figures, including writers, musicians and film directors, published an open letter to the authorities on Thursday demanding&nbsp;Navalny's lawyers be given access to him and that he be held in normal conditions.

They said they had "serious grounds to be concerned about his health and life".

In particular, they demanded that the practice of waking him up every hour during the night due to his classification as a flight risk be ended.

The Kremlin said it was not following developments with&nbsp;Navalny's health, which it said was a matter for prison authorities.

Navalny&nbsp;was jailed last month for two and a half years on charges he called politically motivated. He was arrested as he returned to Russia from Germany in January, where he had been recovering from what doctors said was a nerve agent poisoning.

The West, including the European Court of Human Rights, has demanded Russia release&nbsp;Navalny. Moscow dismissed the court's ruling as "unlawful" and has called similar appeals unacceptable interference in its internal affairs.

Navalny's allies on Tuesday announced plans to stage what they hope will be the biggest anti-Kremlin street protest in modern Russian history this spring, in a bid to have him released. The authorities have said such protests are illegal.

Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny is in great pain, his lawyer said Thursday after visiting him in prison, adding that allies were afraid for his life. His supporters said a day earlier they were concerned by a deterioration in his health and his lawyers said they had not been allowed to visit him in prison.

Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny is in great pain, his lawyer said Thursday after visiting him in prison, adding that allies were afraid for his life. His supporters said a day earlier they were concerned by a deterioration in his health and his lawyers said they had not been allowed to visit him in prison. They returned on Thursday to try to see him. Leonid Volkov, a close Navalny ally, has said that Navalny began to experience serious back pain last week, had felt a numbness in his leg and been unable to stand on it. He was given two Ibuprofen pills for the pain, Volkov said. Also read| Alexei Navalny's health deteriorating in prison, claim his lawyers The Federal Penitentiary Service said earlier on Thursday that the 44-year-old opposition politician's health was stable and satisfactory. It said prisons in the Vladimir region, where Navalny is being held, had carried out medical examinations on inmates on Wednesday. The checks had been conducted at inmates' request, it said, and Navalny had been examined, too. "His health is deemed stable and satisfactory, according to the results of the examination," the penitentiary service said, according to the Interfax news agency. "He is suffering from strong back pain and pain in his right leg," lawyer Olga Mikhailova said in remarks on Dozhd television. 'Really worried' "Now we are really worried," Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation wrote on Twitter. "Even the Federal Penitentiary Service can’t call Navalny’s condition `good'." Nearly 160 cultural figures, including writers, musicians and film directors, published an open letter to the authorities on Thursday demanding Navalny's lawyers be given access to him and that he be held in normal conditions. They said they had "serious grounds to be concerned about his health and life". In particular, they demanded that the practice of waking him up every hour during the night due to his classification as a flight risk be ended. The Kremlin said it was not following developments with Navalny's health, which it said was a matter for prison authorities. Navalny was jailed last month for two and a half years on charges he called politically motivated. He was arrested as he returned to Russia from Germany in January, where he had been recovering from what doctors said was a nerve agent poisoning. The West, including the European Court of Human Rights, has demanded Russia release Navalny. Moscow dismissed the court's ruling as "unlawful" and has called similar appeals unacceptable interference in its internal affairs. Navalny's allies on Tuesday announced plans to stage what they hope will be the biggest anti-Kremlin street protest in modern Russian history this spring, in a bid to have him released. The authorities have said such protests are illegal.

Kremlin critic Navalny in 'strong' pain, allies fear for his life

Kremlin critic Alexei&nbsp;Navalny, who is serving a two-and-half-year jail term in a penal colony outside Moscow, has claimed that he was locked up in a "real concentration camp".

His comments were the first confirmation of widespread reports that the Russian opposition politician would be spending his sentence at one of the most notorious facilities in Russia's extensive network of over 600 work colonies.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-to-russia-end-persecution-of-independent-voices-370388/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Navalny's precise location had been unknown after his legal team said last week that he had been moved from the nearby Kolchugino jail and that they had not been told where he was being taken.

On Monday,&nbsp;Navalny said&nbsp;he was fine and being held at the IK-2 corrective penal colony in the town of Pokrov, about 100 km east of Moscow.

"Hi everyone from 'Heightened control sector A',"&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;said in a message posted online shortly after his lawyers visited him at the facility.

"I have to admit that the Russian prison system has managed to surprise me. I never imagined that it was possible to build a real concentration camp 100 kilometres from Moscow".

Woken up 'every hour'&nbsp;

Navalny&nbsp;said he had not yet seen any hints of violence at the colony, but because of the "tense posture of the convicts", he can "easily believe" previous reports of brutality.

The post was accompanied by a picture of&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;sitting on a sofa with his hair cropped close to his head.

Navalny, 44, one of President Vladimir Putin's most prominent critics, was jailed earlier this year for parole violations in a decision that the West has condemned as politically motivated.

He is due to serve out a two-and-a-half-year sentence and is only able to communicate with the outside world via his lawyers.

The Instagram post said that swearing was banned at the facility and that the ban was widely observed by fellow inmates who seemed scared to turn their heads twice.

He said he had not seen any prison violence or suggestion of it himself, but could believe stories he had heard about past cases of violence.

"There are video cameras everywhere, they keep watch on everyone and make reports for the slightest infractions. I think someone high up has read 1984 by Orwell," he said.

He said he was woken up every hour during the night because he had been deemed a flight risk.

"But if you regard everything with humour, you can live here. So on the whole, everything is fine with me," he said.

Navalny&nbsp;returned to Russia in January from Germany, where he had been recuperating after allegedly being poisoned with what many Western nations claimed was a nerve agent. The Kremlin has denied any involvement and questioned claims that he was poisoned.

Western countries have called for&nbsp;Navalny's release, and the United States and European Union have imposed sanctions against Russian officials over the case.

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, who is serving a two-and-half-year jail term in a penal colony outside Moscow, has claimed that he was locked up in a "real concentration camp".

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, who is serving a two-and-half-year jail term in a penal colony outside Moscow, has claimed that he was locked up in a "real concentration camp". His comments were the first confirmation of widespread reports that the Russian opposition politician would be spending his sentence at one of the most notorious facilities in Russia's extensive network of over 600 work colonies. Navalny's precise location had been unknown after his legal team said last week that he had been moved from the nearby Kolchugino jail and that they had not been told where he was being taken. On Monday, Navalny said he was fine and being held at the IK-2 corrective penal colony in the town of Pokrov, about 100 km east of Moscow. "Hi everyone from 'Heightened control sector A'," Navalny said in a message posted online shortly after his lawyers visited him at the facility. "I have to admit that the Russian prison system has managed to surprise me. I never imagined that it was possible to build a real concentration camp 100 kilometres from Moscow". Woken up 'every hour' Navalny said he had not yet seen any hints of violence at the colony, but because of the "tense posture of the convicts", he can "easily believe" previous reports of brutality. The post was accompanied by a picture of Navalny sitting on a sofa with his hair cropped close to his head. Navalny, 44, one of President Vladimir Putin's most prominent critics, was jailed earlier this year for parole violations in a decision that the West has condemned as politically motivated. He is due to serve out a two-and-a-half-year sentence and is only able to communicate with the outside world via his lawyers. The Instagram post said that swearing was banned at the facility and that the ban was widely observed by fellow inmates who seemed scared to turn their heads twice. He said he had not seen any prison violence or suggestion of it himself, but could believe stories he had heard about past cases of violence. "There are video cameras everywhere, they keep watch on everyone and make reports for the slightest infractions. I think someone high up has read 1984 by Orwell," he said. He said he was woken up every hour during the night because he had been deemed a flight risk. "But if you regard everything with humour, you can live here. So on the whole, everything is fine with me," he said. Navalny returned to Russia in January from Germany, where he had been recuperating after allegedly being poisoned with what many Western nations claimed was a nerve agent. The Kremlin has denied any involvement and questioned claims that he was poisoned. Western countries have called for Navalny's release, and the United States and European Union have imposed sanctions against Russian officials over the case.

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny claims he is locked up in 'concentration camp' outside Moscow

Russian police detained around 200 people at a meeting of independent and opposition politicians in Moscow on Saturday, accusing them of links to an 'undesirable organisation', a monitoring group and a TV station said.&nbsp;

The detentions come amid a crackdown on anti-Kremlin sentiment, following the arrest and imprisonment of opposition politician Alexei Navalny, who returned to Russia in January after recovering from a nerve agent poisoning in Siberia.&nbsp;

The forum, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, was a gathering of municipal deputies from all over the country, Andrei Pivovarov, the event's organiser and executive director of Open Russia, a British-based group founded by exiled former oil tycoon and Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky, told radio station Echo Moskvy.&nbsp;

As the forum got underway, police entered the building and began detaining attendees and taking them to police vans waiting outside, video footage from TV Rain and Russian news agencies showed.&nbsp;

The Moscow branch of Russia's interior ministry said around 200 people had been detained and that an investigation was underway.

Police said those detained were not following the appropriate anti-coronavirus health measures even though footage showed most of them wearing masks. They said some of those attending the forum had links to an 'undesirable organisation'.

"A significant portion of participants lacked personal protective equipment," the police said. "Members of an organisation whose activities are considered undesirable on Russian territory were among the participants."

OVD-Info, which monitors the detention of political protesters and activists, published a list of more than 170 people, it said had been detained.&nbsp;

"The finale of the short forum was very symbolic: deputies in police vans and masked police twisting people's arms," one detainee, opposition politician Ilya Yashin, wrote on Facebook.

"But no one promised us freedom on a silver platter. Russia will still be free."

Vladimir Kara-Murza, vice-president of the Free Russia Foundation, a Washington-based non-profit organisation, shared a picture from the inside of a police van after he was detained.

TV Rain said Yevgeny Roizman, the former mayor of Yekaterinburg, and Moscow city councillor Yulia Galyamina were also detained.&nbsp;Open Russia is one of more than 30 groups that Moscow has labelled as undesirable and banned under a law adopted in 2015.

Rights advocates say the laws on 'undesirable' organisations and 'foreign agents' can be used to pressure and target civil society members. Russia denies that and says the laws are needed to protect its national security from outside meddling.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Russian police detained around 200 people at a meeting of independent and opposition politicians in Moscow on Saturday, accusing them of links to an 'undesirable organisation', a monitoring group and a TV station said.

Russian police detained around 200 people at a meeting of independent and opposition politicians in Moscow on Saturday, accusing them of links to an 'undesirable organisation', a monitoring group and a TV station said. The detentions come amid a crackdown on anti-Kremlin sentiment, following the arrest and imprisonment of opposition politician Alexei Navalny, who returned to Russia in January after recovering from a nerve agent poisoning in Siberia. The forum, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, was a gathering of municipal deputies from all over the country, Andrei Pivovarov, the event's organiser and executive director of Open Russia, a British-based group founded by exiled former oil tycoon and Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky, told radio station Echo Moskvy. As the forum got underway, police entered the building and began detaining attendees and taking them to police vans waiting outside, video footage from TV Rain and Russian news agencies showed. The Moscow branch of Russia's interior ministry said around 200 people had been detained and that an investigation was underway. Police said those detained were not following the appropriate anti-coronavirus health measures even though footage showed most of them wearing masks. They said some of those attending the forum had links to an 'undesirable organisation'. "A significant portion of participants lacked personal protective equipment," the police said. "Members of an organisation whose activities are considered undesirable on Russian territory were among the participants." OVD-Info, which monitors the detention of political protesters and activists, published a list of more than 170 people, it said had been detained. "The finale of the short forum was very symbolic: deputies in police vans and masked police twisting people's arms," one detainee, opposition politician Ilya Yashin, wrote on Facebook. "But no one promised us freedom on a silver platter. Russia will still be free." Vladimir Kara-Murza, vice-president of the Free Russia Foundation, a Washington-based non-profit organisation, shared a picture from the inside of a police van after he was detained. TV Rain said Yevgeny Roizman, the former mayor of Yekaterinburg, and Moscow city councillor Yulia Galyamina were also detained. Open Russia is one of more than 30 groups that Moscow has labelled as undesirable and banned under a law adopted in 2015. Rights advocates say the laws on 'undesirable' organisations and 'foreign agents' can be used to pressure and target civil society members. Russia denies that and says the laws are needed to protect its national security from outside meddling. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia detains around 200 people, including opposition figures  

After the United States imposed new sanctions on seven senior Russian officials over the attempted assassination of Kremlin critic and opposition figure Alexei&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-imposes-sanctions-on-russia-over-poisoning-of-kremlin-critic-navalny-367479">Navalny</a>, Kremlin said that the sanctions would not achieve their goal and would merely worsen the already strained relations between the two countries.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-sanctions-russia-over-navalny-poisoning-367518/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"The United States is announcing sanctions on seven senior members of the Russian government, an expansion of sanctions under the chemical and biological weapons control and warfare elimination act, new export restrictions on items that could be used for biological agent and chemical production and visa restrictions," &nbsp;Jen Psaki, White House press secretary, said.

On Tuesday, Brussels had announced a travel ban as well as asset freezes for senior Russian officials including Alexandr Kalashnikov who is the head of the Russian prison system, Alexandr Bastrykin, chairman of the investigative committee, chief prosecutor Igor Krasnov and Viktor Zolotov, the head of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-pro-navalny-rallies-russia-increases-fines-for-protest-violations-365919">Russia's </a>national guard.

According to officials, the United States intelligence agencies have concluded that Moscow was behind the near-fatal nerve agent attack on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/navalny-moved-to-detention-centre-russian-prison-authority-366470">Navalny</a> last year.

"We are exercising our authority to send a clear signal that Russia's use of chemical weapons and human rights abuses have severe consequences, any use of chemical weapons anywhere at any time by anyone under any circumstance is unacceptable and it contravenes international norms. We also welcome the action taken by the EU ON&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;earlier today to impose costs on Russia under its own new global human rights authorities," Ned Price, State Department spokesperson, said.

Sanctions imposed by the US and the EU&nbsp;follow similar&nbsp;moves by the UK against Russia.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/navalny-transferred-to-vladimir-region-east-of-moscow-to-serve-prison-term-366874">Navalny</a>, 44, was arrested on January 7 after his return from Germany. He spent nearly five months in Germany recovering from a nerve agent poisoning attack&nbsp;blamed on Kremlin. Russia has rejected the accusation on numerous occasions and has accused Navalny of colluding with Western intelligence agencies.

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow would respond in kind to any new US sanctions over Navalny, Russia's Interfax news agency reported.

After the United States imposed new sanctions on seven senior Russian officials over the attempted assassination of Kremlin critic and opposition figure Alexei Navalny, Kremlin said that the sanctions would not achieve their goal and would merely worsen the already strained relations between the two countries.

After the United States imposed new sanctions on seven senior Russian officials over the attempted assassination of Kremlin critic and opposition figure Alexei Navalny, Kremlin said that the sanctions would not achieve their goal and would merely worsen the already strained relations between the two countries. Watch: "The United States is announcing sanctions on seven senior members of the Russian government, an expansion of sanctions under the chemical and biological weapons control and warfare elimination act, new export restrictions on items that could be used for biological agent and chemical production and visa restrictions," Jen Psaki, White House press secretary, said. On Tuesday, Brussels had announced a travel ban as well as asset freezes for senior Russian officials including Alexandr Kalashnikov who is the head of the Russian prison system, Alexandr Bastrykin, chairman of the investigative committee, chief prosecutor Igor Krasnov and Viktor Zolotov, the head of Russia's national guard. According to officials, the United States intelligence agencies have concluded that Moscow was behind the near-fatal nerve agent attack on Navalny last year. "We are exercising our authority to send a clear signal that Russia's use of chemical weapons and human rights abuses have severe consequences, any use of chemical weapons anywhere at any time by anyone under any circumstance is unacceptable and it contravenes international norms. We also welcome the action taken by the EU ON Navalny earlier today to impose costs on Russia under its own new global human rights authorities," Ned Price, State Department spokesperson, said. Sanctions imposed by the US and the EU follow similar moves by the UK against Russia. Navalny, 44, was arrested on January 7 after his return from Germany. He spent nearly five months in Germany recovering from a nerve agent poisoning attack blamed on Kremlin. Russia has rejected the accusation on numerous occasions and has accused Navalny of colluding with Western intelligence agencies. Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow would respond in kind to any new US sanctions over Navalny, Russia's Interfax news agency reported.

Sanctions will worsen strained ties with US: Russia on Navalny row

The US and the European Union have imposed new sanctions on 7 senior Russian officials for the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and urged his release from prison.

US intel blames Kremlin for poisoning of Navalny

The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions on seven senior Russians as it said its intelligence concluded that Moscow was behind the poisoning of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

"The intelligence community assesses with high confidence that officers of Russia's Federal Security Service FSB used a nerve agent known as Novichok to poison Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on August 20, 2020," senior Biden administration officials said.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/your-story-kremlin-critic-alexie-navalny-transferred-to-penal-colony-366509/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The sanctions were a response to what the officials said was a Russian attempt to assassinate&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;last year, an accusation Russia denies.&nbsp;

President Joe Biden's decision to impose sanctions for&nbsp;Navalny's poisoning reflects a harder stance than taken by his predecessor, Donald Trump, who let the incident last August pass without punitive US&nbsp;action.

“The United States is neither seeking to reset our relations with Russia, nor are we seeking to escalate," one official said.

"We believe that the United States and our partners must be clear and impose costs when Russia’s behavior crosses boundaries that are respected by responsible nations, and we believe there should be guard rails on how these adversarial aspects of our relationship play out," the official said.

Navalny&nbsp;fell ill on a flight in Siberia in August and was airlifted to Germany, where doctors concluded he had been poisoned with a nerve agent. The Kremlin has denied any role in his illness and said it had seen no proof he was poisoned.

The Kremlin in response said that the US&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;would not achieve their goal and would merely worsen already strained relations.

In his turn, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that Moscow would respond in kind to any new US&nbsp;sanctions over the treatment of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei&nbsp;Navalny.

EU foreign ministers agreed on February&nbsp;22 to impose sanctions on four senior Russian officials close to President Vladimir Putin in a mainly symbolic response to&nbsp;Navalny's jailing. The EU was expected to formally approve those in early March.

After his medical treatment in Germany,&nbsp;Navalny, 44, returned to Russia in January. He was arrested and later sentenced to more than 2-1/2 years in jail for parole violations he said were trumped up.

Biden last month called the jailing of&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;"politically motivated" and called for his release. He has pledged a new and tough approach toward Moscow, saying the United States would no longer be "rolling over" in the face of aggressive action by Russia.

Washington and Moscow disagree on a wide range of issues on top of&nbsp;Navalny, such as Russia's military ambitions in Ukraine and Georgia, as well as a cyberattack on U.S. government agencies last year that Washington blames on Russia. Moscow has denied responsibility for the hacking campaign.

The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions on seven senior Russians as it said its intelligence concluded that Moscow was behind the poisoning of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions on seven senior Russians as it said its intelligence concluded that Moscow was behind the poisoning of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. "The intelligence community assesses with high confidence that officers of Russia's Federal Security Service FSB used a nerve agent known as Novichok to poison Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on August 20, 2020," senior Biden administration officials said. The sanctions were a response to what the officials said was a Russian attempt to assassinate Navalny last year, an accusation Russia denies. President Joe Biden's decision to impose sanctions for Navalny's poisoning reflects a harder stance than taken by his predecessor, Donald Trump, who let the incident last August pass without punitive US action. “The United States is neither seeking to reset our relations with Russia, nor are we seeking to escalate," one official said. "We believe that the United States and our partners must be clear and impose costs when Russia’s behavior crosses boundaries that are respected by responsible nations, and we believe there should be guard rails on how these adversarial aspects of our relationship play out," the official said. Navalny fell ill on a flight in Siberia in August and was airlifted to Germany, where doctors concluded he had been poisoned with a nerve agent. The Kremlin has denied any role in his illness and said it had seen no proof he was poisoned. The Kremlin in response said that the US sanctions would not achieve their goal and would merely worsen already strained relations. In his turn, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that Moscow would respond in kind to any new US sanctions over the treatment of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. EU foreign ministers agreed on February 22 to impose sanctions on four senior Russian officials close to President Vladimir Putin in a mainly symbolic response to Navalny's jailing. The EU was expected to formally approve those in early March. After his medical treatment in Germany, Navalny, 44, returned to Russia in January. He was arrested and later sentenced to more than 2-1/2 years in jail for parole violations he said were trumped up. Biden last month called the jailing of Navalny "politically motivated" and called for his release. He has pledged a new and tough approach toward Moscow, saying the United States would no longer be "rolling over" in the face of aggressive action by Russia. Washington and Moscow disagree on a wide range of issues on top of Navalny, such as Russia's military ambitions in Ukraine and Georgia, as well as a cyberattack on U.S. government agencies last year that Washington blames on Russia. Moscow has denied responsibility for the hacking campaign.

US imposes sanctions on Russia over poisoning of Kremlin critic Navalny

navalny

Navalny, News on Navalny, stories on Navalny, articles on Navalny, Navalny stories at Wion, Navalny news, Navalny latest news