Russia opened a new investigation on Tuesday about Alexei Navalny, increasing pressure on one of Moscow’s most outspoken critics.
The Investigative Committee of Russia said in a statement that it was launching a new fraud investigation into allegations that it misused $ 5 million in donations to its Anti-Corruption Foundation and other companies.
Navalny’s foundation has been the subject of a series of investigations by the Russian government, although he and his allies have said the investigations are attempts to undermine the opposition movement.
“It was discovered that for the needs of a number of non-profit organizations, including the Anti-Corruption Foundation … more than 588 million rubles [$7.9 million] were collected from individuals as donations, “said the Research Committee.” These funds were intended exclusively for the purposes of these foundations. “
The agency specifically accused Navalny of spending more than $ 4.8 million for personal expenses, money that the Investigative Committee said was “stolen”.
The announcement of the criminal investigation marks an escalation of Moscow’s efforts to squeeze Navalny. Authorities threatened to arrest Navalny for failing to serve his suspended sentence in an old case if he did not attend a hearing on Tuesday in Moscow. Navalny is currently in Germany, receiving treatment for the August poisoning and received a 10-hour notice to appear in court.
Moscow is believed to be behind the August attack on the opposition leader, which followed similar poisonings by other critics of the Kremlin.
Navalny said in an Instagram post that the new cases against him were part of Moscow’s broader efforts to silence him for his criticisms of the president Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Vladimirovich PutinRussia recognizes that the death toll in COVID-19 is three times higher than previously reported. after poisoning.
“It wasn’t that hard to predict. I said from the start … they will try to arrest me because I didn’t die on the plane and then tracked down my killers. Because I proved that Putin is behind this and that he is a thief who is ready to kill those who refused to remain silent about his theft, “said Navalny on Tuesday.