Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation challenges ‘extremism’ designation in court

Lawyers for Alexey Navalny’s organizations have appealed the Moscow City Court’s decision to outlaw his Anti-Corruption Foundation (the FBK), Citizens’ Rights Protection Foundation, and national network of campaign offices as “extremist.”

“We filed a complaint against the Moscow City Court’s ruling in the case of the Anti-Corruption Foundation, Citizens’ Rights Protection Foundation, and Navalny’s Headquarters. Only after its consideration will it become clear whether these organizations will be considered extremist in Russia,” said the human rights group Team 29, whose lawyers are representing Navalny’s organizations in court.

According to lawyer Ivan Pavlov, who heads Team 29, the appeal is 57 pages long and lists all of the serious violations committed during the proceedings.

“The decision is based on blank sheets and several kilograms of disorderly papers not relevant to the case, and [it] was made in the absence of nearly 70 people whose names are mentioned in it. The prosecutors named Navalny’s surname twenty times, but at the same time, we were denied calling him as a witness. We never heard any evidence that the FBK was engaged in extremist activity, with the exception of statements that contradict the law and common sense.”

• On June 9, the Moscow City Court sided with local prosecutors and designated Alexey Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), the Citizens’ Rights Protection Foundation, and national network of campaign offices as “extremist organizations.” This terminated his team’s activities effective immediately. The trial took place behind closed doors, allegedly due to the fact that some of the case materials were classified.