Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny’s political network is disbanded ahead of court rulings declaring it an ‘extremist’ organisation.

A Moscow court is expected to ban the network’s crowdfunded work, which would put members and supporters at risk of six years in prison.

Leonid Volkov, the network’s former coordinator, said that keeping the work of Navalny’s network in its current form would lead immediately to extremism charges and criminal sentences for those helping or cooperating with it. He said the breakup was a ‘punch in the gut’ after four years of hard work in very difficult circumstances: ‘The networks had victories. We cancelled corrupt public procurement orders, secured the resignation of thieves and crooks, won elections, protected parks from development projects, and helped local activists. Now there are direct orders from the Kremlin to destroy the network of offices.’

The network’s website shtab.navalny.com was still accessible on 29 April, showing dozens of locations spanning eleven time zones.

Pray: for the dozens of regional politicians, thousands of supporters, and independent political organisations to remain strong as they organise investigations, and rallies. (Proverbs 21:15)

More: www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/04/29/navalny-dissolves-political-network-ahead-of-expected-extremist-ruling-a73774