Russia arrests Putin critic planning to run in September elections
Russian authorities have arrested a political activist who had announced plans to run in regional elections scheduled for September. The opposition figure, known for his criticism of President Vladimir Putin, was detained in one of Russia’s regions as pressure grows on independent and anti Kremlin candidates ahead of the polls.unn+1 Local media and rights groups say security agencies are increasingly using charges such as discrediting the army, extremism and administrative violations to sideline inconvenient candidates and block them from the ballot.unn According to reports, the arrested activist had been preparing to contest the vote but now faces legal action that could disqualify him from running, in line with Russian laws that bar people with certain convictions or repeated administrative penalties from holding public office.dw+1 Analysts note that the move fits a wider pattern in Russia, where prominent critics of the […]