Barred opposition candidate says not crossing Russia's 'red lines' has kept him out of prison

Artists spray-paint portraits of Alexei Navalny behind a Soviet monument in Vienna

Austrian graffiti duo Joel Gamnou painted the portraits, receiving mostly positive feedback from the public, although criticism arose from certain groups alleging political misuse of the wall.

Alexei Navalny: Russian court rejects Navalny mother’s case alleging improper medical care| Oneindia

A lawsuit filed by the mother of the late Russian opposition figure, Alexei Navalny, alleging inadequate medical care during his time in the Arctic penal colony where he passed away, has been dismissed. The court in the town of Labytnangi, near the penal colony, rejected the suit, citing Navalny's absence as the plaintiff. Ivan Zhdanov, a former aide to Navalny, expressed dismay over the decision, highlighting Navalny's history of filing lawsuits regarding medical care in prisons. The dismissal, Zhdanov noted, comes with a tone of mockery, given Navalny's tragic demise. ~HT.178~PR.152~ED.194~

Vladimir Putin Secures 5th Term as Russia’s President

Vladimir Putin Secures 5th Term , as Russia’s President. On March 18, Russia's Central Election Commission confirmed that Putin won reelection by a landslide. He reportedly received over 87% of the vote. Countries that congratulated him include Cuba, Honduras, Nicaragua, North Korea, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Venezuela. However, critics say that Putin didn't have any credible opposition, and free speech against him was stifled. For example, Alexei Navalny, a fierce opponent of Putin's, died last month in an Arctic prison, and his other critics have either been jailed or exiled, 'USA Today' reports. . For example, Alexei Navalny, a fierce opponent of Putin's, died last month in an Arctic prison, and his other critics have either been jailed or exiled, 'USA Today' reports. . Independent media outlets have also been shuttered. . The elections took place in an ever-shrinking political space, which has resulted in an alarming increase of violations of civil and political rights.., Josep Borrell, the European Union's top foreign policy official, via statement. ... and precluded many candidates from running, including all those opposed to Russia’s illegal war of aggression, deprived Russian voters of a real choice and heavily limited their access to accurate information, Josep Borrell, the European Union's top foreign policy official, via statement. The United States referred to the vote as "neither free nor fair," while Germany called it a "pseudo-election.". Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Putin is "sick with power and is doing everything in his power to rule forever.". Putin is currently Russia's "longest-serving leader since Joseph Stalin," 'USA Today' reports.