Moscow Court Rules to Fine Navalny Fund's Lawyer for Organization of Unauthorized Rallies

MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 27th October, 2018) A Moscow court ruled on Friday to impose a 250,000-ruble fine (over $3,800) on a lawyer of Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation, Ivan Zhdanov, over the organization of unauthorized rallies in Russian cities, a court's spokesman told Sputnik.

"The court found him guilty of committing a misdemeanor under Part 8 of the Article 20.2 of the Russian Code on Administrative Offenses 'Violation of the set order of organization or holding of assembly, protest, demonstration, rally or public gathering,'" Viktor Vasilyev said.

According to the court's protocol, Zhdanov organized a series of unauthorized rallies across Russia on September 9.

Participants of the rally protested against the proposed changes to the Russian pension legislation.

On July 19, the Russian State Duma adopted in the first reading a bill on changes to the pension law. The bill proposed raising the retirement age from 60 to 65 years for men and from 55 to 63 years for women. The changes are expected to be implemented gradually starting from 2019.

In September, Russian President Vladimir Putin submitted to the State Duma amendments to the bill on improving the pension system. The president's amendments have softened the proposed changes in the legislation, particularly, reducing the future retirement age for women from 63 to 60. The parliament supported the proposed changes.