The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia has declared Navalny’s lawyer Olga Mykhaylova wanted

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia has declared one of the defenders of the opposition politician Alexei Navalny – lawyer Olga Mykhaylova – wanted.

The card with its data was published in the ministry’s search database on Friday. It is noted that Mykhailova is wanted under the article of the Criminal Code. In January, the Investigative Committee charged Olga Mykhailova in absentia in the case of an extremist community.

“I have been accused of participating in Navalny’s extremist community,” the lawyer told Interfax. Mykhaylova noted that she always performed only the duties of a lawyer for the defense of Navalny. Now she is outside Russia and does not intend to return yet, stressing that “it will be better to be free than in a colony.”

In October 2023, three of Navalny’s lawyers – Vadym Kobzev, Alexey Liptser and Igor Sergunin – were arrested in the case of the extremist community. All of them are also accused of participating in the extremist community. Punishment under this article provides either a large fine or imprisonment for up to six years. According to the investigation, the lawyers, visiting the politician in the colony, “ensured the regular transfer of information between the leaders, members of the extremist community and Navalny.”

Navalny himself called on the Russian legal community not to be silent and to defend his colleagues. “I am proud of my defense team. Everyone who was part of it and is part of it. These are excellent professionals. To accuse them of transmitting “extremist messages” is simply ridiculous,” said Navalny. At the same time, he stated that he considers his activity not extremism, but a legitimate political struggle “against illegal power.”

• Alexey Navalny was convicted in a case of fraud, as well as a number of other accused, including the creation of an extremist community, recognized as such in Russia, in particular, by the “Fighting Corruption Foundation”. Navalny is serving a 19-year sentence in a penal colony. The oppositionist calls his persecution political, the same opinion is held by human rights defenders and representatives of Western countries.