This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20798023
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Navalny: Russian opposition figure charged with fraud | Navalny: Russian opposition figure charged with fraud |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Investigators in Russia have formally charged leading opposition figure Alexei Navalny and his brother Oleg with fraud and money-laundering. | Investigators in Russia have formally charged leading opposition figure Alexei Navalny and his brother Oleg with fraud and money-laundering. |
| The charges were published on Thursday on the website of the powerful Investigative Committee. | The charges were published on Thursday on the website of the powerful Investigative Committee. |
| The brothers are accused of embezzling 55m roubles (£1.1m; $1.8m) in 2008-11 while working in a postal business. | The brothers are accused of embezzling 55m roubles (£1.1m; $1.8m) in 2008-11 while working in a postal business. |
| Reacting to news of the inquiry last week, Mr Navalny described the charges as "complete nonsense". | Reacting to news of the inquiry last week, Mr Navalny described the charges as "complete nonsense". |
| Alexei Navalny, a lawyer known for his campaigning against corruption, spearheaded protests against the Kremlin a year ago after disputed parliamentary elections. | Alexei Navalny, a lawyer known for his campaigning against corruption, spearheaded protests against the Kremlin a year ago after disputed parliamentary elections. |
| In October, he came first in a leadership ballot organised by Russia's opposition parties. | In October, he came first in a leadership ballot organised by Russia's opposition parties. |
| The charges of fraud and money-laundering carry fines or prison sentences of two and three years respectively. | The charges of fraud and money-laundering carry fines or prison sentences of two and three years respectively. |
| 'Inflated prices' | |
| Investigators say mail shipping services were provided at "deliberately inflated prices", with the brothers pocketing 55m roubles, of which 19m were allegedly laundered. | |
| Reacting to news of the charges on Thursday, Mr Navalny wrote on Twitter that his father had also been named in the charges. | |
| "It's a good thing that Dasha and Zakhar are underage," he added sarcastically, referring to his children. | |
| It is not the first case brought against Mr Navalny. In July, he was charged with embezzlement over a timber deal - a charge he also denies. | |
| Mr Navalny wrote on Monday that he had signed an undertaking not to leave Moscow during the latest investigation. | |
| Since Vladimir Putin was re-elected president in March, legal action against opposition figures has increased markedly. | |
| A tough new law has passed on public order offences and tight curbs have been placed on non-governmental organisations. | |
| Last winter saw the biggest anti-government demonstrations in Moscow since the fall of the Soviet Union. |