Jailed Russian opposition leader Navalny faces fresh charges

Jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is facing fresh charges (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP)

Russian authorities have levied new criminal charges against imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny, part of a government crackdown on the corruption fighter and his beleaguered team ahead of Russia’s upcoming parliamentary election.

Russia’s Investigative Committee said on Wednesday it has charged Navalny with creating a non-profit organisation that infringes on people’s rights, a criminal offense punishable by up to three years in prison.