14 September 2019, 18:08
Krasnodar activists complain about bank account arrests after law enforcers' raids over Navalny's offices
During searches in Krasnodar, law enforcers seized computers and telephones local activists have stated, adding that by a Moscow court judgement their bank accounts were blocked. Political analysts treat this law enforcers' reaction as a response to the "Smart Voting" system.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that searches of homes of employees of the Anti-Corruption Fund and of Navalny's offices began on September 12 in 39 Russian cities, including Krasnodar, Rostov-on-Don, Stavropol and Volgograd. The searches have been launched as a part of the case on "money laundering" at the Anti-Corruption Foundation, informed Leonid Volkov, a Navalny's associate.
Alexei Mandrigelya, an activist, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent about searches of the homes of his relatives and friends in Krasnodar.
Alexei has confirmed that his bank account was blocked. "They also seized equipment from my relatives and acquaintances, but then returned it. My bank account and those of two my friends were blocked," Mr Mandrigelya has stated, explaining that he had received a message from the bank stating that by the decision of the Basmanny Court of Moscow, an arrest of 75 million roubles was imposed on his card. Alexei intends to appeal against the decision.
A search within the case of the Navalny's Anti-Corruption Fund (ACF) was also held in the office of the "Ecological Watch for Northern Caucasus" (EcoWatch), the coordinator thereof, Andrei Rudomakha, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, adding that the "EcoWatch" has nothing to do with the Navalny's office and the ACF.
The large-scale searches may have to do with the "Smart Voting", Konstantin Kalachov, a political analyst, believes.
On the eve of September 8, the unified Russian voting day, the oppositional leader, Alexei Navalny, and his supporters suggested a system of so-called "Smart Voting". Its mission is to support voters for independent candidates, who can compete with candidates from the ruling party.
"To prevent the relapse of this phenomenon in the future, it seems logical to someone to try finding, right after the elections, proofs of foreign interference, and using Navalny's network to rock the situation," the political analyst has noted. In his opinion, the persecution of activists is aimed at "both intimidate and disrupt the network of regional offices," the RBC reported on September 12.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on September 13, 2019 at 11:59 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Anna Gritsevich Source: CK correspondent
