According to the opposition, the Russian police have searched dozens of offices of the anti-corruption foundation FBK of prominent Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. As Nawalny said in the short message service Twitter, were from today nationwide at least 30 addresses affected. „The Russian law enforcement system uses all its forces to protect corrupt officials and bribe-takers,“ wrote the opposition leader.
FBK Foundation Director Ivan Zhdanov said the searches took place in 15 Russian cities. Police were also in front of the Moscow offices.
Classified as an „agent of foreign countries“
Last week, the Russian government classified Nawalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation as an „agent of foreign affairs.“ This assessment allows the Kremlin to monitor the foundation more closely. Nawalny said the Ministry of Justice’s decision was „apparently based on a direct order“ from President Vladimir Putin.
Russian authorities accuse Nawalny’s Foundation of receiving funds from abroad, which it denies. In August, the judiciary began investigations into the foundation and frozen its accounts. The fund was suspected of having committed money laundering worth a billion rubles (around 14 million euros).
