![Navalny](/index.php/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2021-04/Alexei%20Navalny_1.jpg?itok=3mqS_6Gd)
MOSCOW, April 29. /TASS/: Russia’s Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case against blogger Alexey Navalny over the creation of an NGO infringing on people’s rights, a law enforcement source told TASS.
"A new criminal case has been opened against Alexey Navalny under Article 239 of the Russian Criminal Code (the creation of a non-profit organization infringing on people’s identity and rights). If found guilty, he could face up to three years in prison. Other defendants in the case include Leonid Volkov and Ivan Zhdanov," the source said.
According to the source, the information about the new criminal case against Navalny, Volkov and Zhdanov is contained in the prosecution’s request that Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK, labeled as a foreign agent) be designated as an extremist organization.
Attorney Ivan Pavlov, who represents the FBK, declined to comment on reports of the new case. "I would like to refrain from making comments on the case against Navalny based on Article 239 of the Russian Criminal Code, because the case contains classified and restricted files. However, all secrets come out sooner or later," he noted.