Russia officially declares Alexey Navalny's movement, the biggest opposition force, an "extremist" group

Moscow — A court in the Russian capital has granted government prosecutors' their wish, formally designating the anti-corruption and political movement led by jailed Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny an extremist entity. It was likely the fatal blow for what has become the most resilient opposition force in Russian politics over the past decade.

The court handed down its decision on Wednesday after a 12-hour closed-door hearing, essentially putting Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) and an associated network of regional offices in the same category as ISIS and the Taliban in the eyes of the Russian government. "When corruption is the foundation of the state, those who fight it become extremist," a message posted to Navalny's channel on the telegram social media app said in response to the decision. "Who cares what we are called? We are not a name, not a piece of paper or an office. We are a group of people who unite and organize those who are against corruption, and support fair courts and equality of all before the law. There are millions of us. You are us. As long as you are, we are not going anywhere."