Ex-Cop Charged Over ‘Dislike’ of Ruling Party

Prosecutors in Russia’s Far East have brought extremism charges against a former policeman over calls to “commit crimes” against members of the pro-Kremlin United Russia party.

The 26-year-old posted online texts between August 6 and November 3 last year calling for violence against United Russia members, prosecutors in the Khabarovsk region said in a statement.

The man, whose name was not given, faces up to three years in jail if convicted.

Allegations of widespread fraud in favor of United Russia at last year’s parliamentary elections triggered the biggest anti-government protests in Russia in decades.

The party has also been behind a number of recent controversial laws, including legislation which sharply increases fines for protest-related offences.

It was headed by President Vladimir Putin until April, when he gave the leadership over to Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

 

Leave a comment