Russian opposition politician Boris Nadezhdin said he received a notice banning him from leaving Russia. The document, he said, arrived overnight on the state services portal Gosuslugi. Nadezhdin plans to appeal the decision, which his lawyers consider unlawful.
Nadezhdin was detained on July 13 and later released. He faces an administrative charge of displaying “extremist symbols” — the reason given was a link to a video featuring a photograph of Alexei Navalny. A court hearing is scheduled for July 17.
The politician has said he does not want to leave Russia but is considering the option. “If I clearly understand that I have two prospects — either behind bars and disappear there, or survive and save my family — I will save my family,” he wrote. Nadezhdin also compared his possible departure to the emigration of Vladimir Lenin and the return of Alexei Navalny.
Nadezhdin had registered as a candidate for the State Duma in September elections. However, on July 10 he was added to the register of “foreign agents” — a status that bars him from participating in elections. According to Meduza, security officials are behind the pressure on Nadezhdin, seeking to prevent him from running.