The European Court of Human Rights will review opposition activist Alexei Navalny's appeal to overturn his house arrest in Russia and plans to ask the Russian government to demonstrate the merits of its case, according to a document posted on Navalny's blog.
In a letter to Navalny's lawyer Olga Mikhailova, the court said it has "decided to give priority" to the opposition activist's appeal, according to a post Monday on his blog on the LiveJournal social network.
The Russian government would be "invited to submit written observations on the admissibility and merits of the case," said the letter, a copy of which was included in the post.
Navalny, a prominent opposition figure and anti-corruption blogger, has been under house arrest since February in connection with a fraud investigation against him.
His lawyer Vadim Kobzev has accused investigators of putting pressure on Navalny through a recent early morning search of his apartment.
See also:
Police Surprise Opposition Leader Alexei Navalny With Nighttime Raid
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
