The Moscow judge’s ruling puts more pressure on relations between Russia and the United States, just as President Biden embarks on his first major foreign trip. Biden will meet President Putin in Switzerland on Wednesday. He is expected to lift the ban on Navalny’s organization.
The United Kingdom casts a more virulent tone against Russia than the United States. Secretary of State Raab called the decision a “pervert” and “Kafka’s attack on those who stand against corruption and for open societies”.
He also asserted that it is part of a pattern of silencing political opposition in Russia. Raab also called for the immediate release of Navalny and the recently arrested protesters and journalists. Russia is failing as a member of the international community.
“Let’s adjust”
Navalny himself via his team responded with a statement on Instagram. In it, he announced that he would continue to fight despite the ban on his movement. He called on his supporters to continue supporting him. “We’re evolving. Let’s adapt.”
He declared that he would continue to fight for his ideas. “This is our country and we have no other. Please stay with us. Follow what we are doing and support us. We really need this support.”
Moreover, he criticized Navalny in the courtroom. He described the prosecution as corruption in the trial. “He steals, takes bribes, invests his money in foreign villas and hotels. He protects Putin and his officials’ right to live in this way. They plunder the land and the people for their luxury life.”
Smart Voting
Moreover, Navalny called on his supporters to participate in his smart voting system. The goal is to elect as many opponents as possible to “United Russia”, Putin’s party, by voting strategically in the elections.
The new State Duma, as the parliament is called, must be elected in Russia by September 19 this year at the latest. In the previous elections, in 2016, United Russia won about three-quarters of the vote.
NOS reporter Iris de Graaf spoke on behalf of NOS at 3 with the young Russian opposition. Below you can see, among other things, a conversation with a boy who wore an ankle bracelet and was placed under house arrest:
