Russian Police Detain Communist Candidate Over Navalny Photo
By Editor • August 21, 2026 • 1 min read
Nikolai Bondarenko, a candidate for Russia's State Duma from the Communist Party, was arrested in Saratov on August 21. He faces charges related to the display of 'extremist symbols' linked to a social media post featuring opposition leader Alexey Navalny.
Bondarenko reported that ten police officers forcibly detained him and brought him to court. The charge apparently originates from a post made from an account not belonging to him, according to Yuri Afonin, a senior figure within the Communist Party.
If convicted under the extremist symbols statute, Bondarenko could be disqualified from the upcoming election, where he is campaigning on the party list.
Source: meduza.io
#Alexey Navalny #Communist Party #Nikolai Bondarenko #Russia #Saratov
