Vladimir Putin is “afraid” of Boris Nadezhdin and that is why the rising opposition figure is now barred from the Russian elections, Putin’s former speechwriter tells Daily Express US.
Nadezhdin has quickly galvanised widespread support in Russia by running on an anti-war campaign.
But, earlier this month, the Russian central election commission barred Nadezhdin from the 2024 vote because it had found “irregularities” in 9,000 of the 100,000 signatures he had garnered to back his candidacy.
Many suspect that this is Putin’s latest attempt to snuff out competition in Russian politics and secure his place in power.
After the decision, Nadezhdin said: “I do not agree with the decision of the central election commission … Participating in the presidential election in 2024 is the most important political decision in my lif. I am not backing down from my intentions.”
READ MORE: Vladimir Putin’s cronies make bold claims Alexei Navalny simply ‘dropped dead’
“Of course, Putin can steal votes, but obviously no one would believe this result.”
Putin also appears to have tried to remove another prominent opposition figure in time for this year’s Russian elections.
On Friday, prominent opposition figure Alexei Navalny was announced dead while in a Russian prison serving a 19-year sentence on “extremism” charges.
The Russian service said Navalny dropped to the floor on a walk having felt “unwell.”
Navalny was seen just a day earlier during a court hearing via video link, where he appeared well.
His widow, Yulia Navalnaya, has claimed her late husband was killed with novichok poison.
She said: “They’re now hiding his body, refusing to show it to his mother, refusing to hand it over. They’re lying, waiting for the traces of yet another Novichok [poisoning] of Putin’s to go away,”
Navalnaya added: “We know what exactly Putin killed Alexei for three days ago. We’re going to tell you soon.
“I’m going to keep struggling for our country and I’m asking you to stand by me and share not only the endless grief and pain that gripped us and won’t let go.
“I’m asking you to share the outrage, the anger, and hatred for those who dared to kill off our future.”
