WEB DESK

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been formally barred from contesting next year’s Presidential election. The Central Electoral Commission has ruled that since Navalny was found guilty of embezzlement and given a suspended sentence, he may not contest.

Navalny was sentenced to 30 days’ administrative arrest this month for repeatedly violating Russia’s law on staging rallies. He had called on people across Russia to protest against corruption on the 12 June Russia Day public holiday. Hundreds of people were detained the same day. He said the case against him was politically motivated.