Alexei Navalny known as the famous opponent of President Vladimir Putin (Image via: The New Yorker)

Russian Opposition Leader Alexei Navalny Detained

Kirana Chandra Mumpuni Budiana
Politics & Economic
International
Jul 25, 2019
2013
On Wednesday, Alexei Navalny arrested after leading the largest protest since 2012 and call on for the next major protest. According to his spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh on Twitter, Navalny was arrested as he left his home by the police. They accused him of calling for unauthorized rally. Navalny will be in jail for 30 days. A video on Navalny’s Instagram account shows the story of how he was arrested told by himself. He said that he was arrested after leaving home for jogging and buying flowers for his wife on her birthday. Navalny joked that sport is not always good for the health, since it was what led him to the arrest. He also stated he’s at the police station.

Before he’s detained, Navalny spoke at the major protest representing 22,000 people in Moskow, Russia. He protested on Saturday demanding fair and free local poll. Then Navalny threatened to call for another big rally this weekend if the election officials won’t accept the demand. However, bad luck hit him hard by the arrest.The major protest triggered by the refusal from election officials to put the independent opposition candidates in the ballot. The reason from the high officials was the signatures are not genuine.

The election rule in Russia demands candidates from outside large parliamentary parties to gather signatures in order to run. This accusation rejected by the independent candidates, said that everything is just for politic.The independent candidates believed that they were restricted because they challenged the control over legislature. It is exercised by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s allies. Meanwhile, the independent candidates who are also the supporters of Navalny are not allowed to run in election. This is not the first time the situation went to Navalny vs. Putin. In the past, Navalny was already threatened, arrested, or jailed as the authorities see him as the famous opponent of Putin. Navalny’s allies in politic met the same fate. It seems like the battle is not over yet and it won’t be for a long time.

Source: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/07/25/kremlin-critic-navalny-jailed-30-days-before-opposition-protest-a66542

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