Opposition Activist Flees Russia After Threat of Arrest
Source: Moscow Times
Russian opposition activist Dmitry Nekrasov has fled the country after hearing he was to be arrested on charges of financing extremism and terrorism.
Nekrasov had been due to stand for the Yabloko opposition party in Duma elections later this year. Writing on his Facebook page, Nekrasov said he was detained by Russian security services at Moscow's Vnukovo airport on May 24 and questioned about his links to terrorist organizations. They also requested to see Nekrasov's laptop.
The following day, a friend of Nekrasov messaged to warn him about a potential criminal case that could soon be opened against him. He left Russia for Latvia on May 26.
I decided not to risk it [staying in Russia,] he wrote. Firstly just due to the sheer absurdity of the charges. The implausibility of the very idea that I engage in terrorism between television appearances and writing is so obvious. I believe in the stupidity of humanity. Secondly, the resources that my well-wishers those who would convince me that withdrawing from the elections is the easier path seem to have, he said.
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