In a statement to his supporters on the “Telegram” website, Girkin stated that he wants to “disrupt the fabricated elections,” in which the winner is already known. “I understand very well that participating in elections in Russia now is like playing cards with fraudsters,” said Girkin.
He hopes that his attempt to “unite the forces of the patriots” will thwart the Kremlin’s plans to hold elections in which “the winner is already known.” Girkin has instructed his supporters to set up his campaign headquarters and start collecting signatures for his candidacy.
Girkin’s supporters told the Reuters news agency that the investigation into terrorism charges against him has been extended until December 18, so theoretically he can participate in the elections since he has not yet been convicted.
At the end of August, the Moscow City Court decided to keep Girkin in custody.
Strekov was detained at his home in Moscow on July 21. The court ordered him to be detained as a security measure.
A criminal case has been initiated against Strelkov for public calls to commit extremist activity.
The Federal Security Service (FSB) is investigating.
Strelkov is one of the most ardent supporters of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Recently, he has repeatedly criticized the Russian leadership and military command for the failures in the battles in Ukraine.
In November 2022, a court in The Hague found Strelkov and two of his associates guilty of shooting down a Malaysian passenger plane over the Donbass in July 2014 in absentia and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
Tags: War criminal turbofascist Girkin challenge Putin Russian presidential election
