Two dozen Russian politicians lost the ability to run for the State Duma over 'displaying extremist symbols'

Two dozen Russian politicians lost the ability to run for the State Duma over “displaying extremist symbols,” reports Novaya Gazeta Europe

Before the State Duma elections, at least 21 Russian politicians faced accusations of displaying extremist or Nazi symbols, Novaya Gazeta Europe calculated. Such accusations bar them from taking part in elections as candidates.

Among the politicians subjected to prosecution, 14 are from Yabloko, four are from the Communist Party, one is from A Just Russia, as well as Tomsk activist Anton Isakov and Moscow Region politician Boris Nadezhdin. The latter two were planning to run in the elections as independents.

Most often, politicians were charged over posting online photographs of Alexey Navalny, symbols of his projects, or videos from his funeral. In 18 of the 21 cases, courts imposed the minimum fines under these reports, from 1,000 to 2,000 rubles, Novaya Gazeta Europe writes.

Earlier, Meduza’s sources said that the pressure on Boris Nadezhdin is an initiative of the security services, which want to clear the political field ahead of the State Duma elections.

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Meduza

"The real goal of the court is to shut me up and prevent me from running for the State Duma"

The real goal of this court is to shut me up and prevent me from running for the State Duma. If I am found guilty, I will lose the right to be elected, and according to polls, I am winning the election.