Russian court mulls motion to outlaw Navalny's organizations

A Moscow court is considering a request by prosecutors to outlaw the organizations founded by Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny

MOSCOW -- A Moscow court on Wednesday is considering a request by prosecutors to outlaw the organizations founded by Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny — part of authorities' efforts to muzzle critics ahead of a crucial parliamentary election in September. The Moscow City Court is expected to grant the request to designate Navalny's Foundation for Fighting Corruption and his sprawling network of regional offices across Russia as extremist organizations. In conjunction with a new law, the ruling would bar people associated with the groups from running for public office, derailing hopes by Navalny's allies to seek parliament seats. The extremism label also could potentially carry prison terms for activists who have worked with the organizations, anyone who donated to them, and even those who simply shared the groups' materials.