Putin's biggest enemy launches bid to remove him from power: 'Russia doesn't need Putin'
Alexei Navalny warned that the elections in Russia next year will be "rigged".
The imprisoned political opponent of Russian President Vladimir Putin has urged his countrymen to vote against the Kremlin chief in the 2024 elections.
Alexei Navalny, a longstanding opponent of Putin in Russia, said Putin will use the election next year as an “approval of the war” in Ukraine.
He added: “On March 17, the day of the election, we urge everyone to come to the polls and vote against Vladimir Putin."
Mr. Navalny also said that the election results “will be rigged" but declared “Russia doesn’t need Putin anymore.”
His plea comes after the Russian Senate voted to hold a presidential election on March 17.
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Mr. Navalny has been in prison for three years, and faces decades more behind bars, after he was arrested when returning from Germany.
He had been in hospital in Berlin after being poisoned with a nerve agent.
Last week, Mr. Navalny had new charges thrown in his direction by Russian prosecutors.
Mr. Navalny said the charges are politically motivated, adding that he had been charged under article 214 of Russia’s penal code, which covers crimes of vandalism.
He said on Friday: “I don’t even know whether to describe my latest news as sad, funny or absurd.
"I have no idea what article 214 is, and there’s nowhere to look. You’ll know before I do.
“Never before has a convict in solitary confinement for more than a year had such a rich social and political life."
Russia is continuing to wage war in Ukraine, with Kyiv desperate for the US to continue its support.
The Kremlin’s spy chief Sergei Naryshkin warned the US on Thursday that Ukraine could become the US' second Vietnam, suggesting that it could end in disaster for Washington.
He said: “Ukraine will turn into a ‘black hole’ absorbing more and more resources and people.
“Ultimately, the US risks creating a ‘second Vietnam’ for itself, and every new American administration will have to deal with it."
