Meduza’s sources say prosecution of popular Russian Communist was planned before his election defeat
Moscow’s Basmanny District Court has ordered Oleg Mikhailov, a former State Duma deputy and former head of the Communist Party’s Komi branch, held in pretrial detention. He is charged with justifying terrorism over a post supporting imprisoned political scientist Boris Kagarlitsky and faces up to seven years in prison. Mikhailov built one of the Communist Party’s strongest regional branches, brought together people with different political views, took part in environmental protests, and challenged the republic’s authorities. During his State Duma election campaign, he was also one of the few C