Russian court orders arrest of journalist Alexander Nevzorov's wife in absentia

A court in Russia's Primorsky District of St Petersburg has ordered the arrest in absentia of Lidiya Nevzorova, the wife of journalist Alexander Nevzorov, Russian court officials said.

According to Darya Lebedeva, head of the Joint Press Service of St Petersburg's courts, Lidiya Nevzorova has been charged in absentia under Part 1 of Article 282.3 of the Russian Criminal Code, which covers the financing of extremist activities.

The court ordered her detention for two months, with the measure to take effect from the moment of her extradition to Russia or her detention on Russian territory.

Russian authorities have designated Alexander Nevzorov as a "foreign agent". Both Alexander and Lidiya Nevzorova have also been recognised by Russian authorities as members of an extremist organisation banned in the country and have been added to Russia's list of terrorists and extremists.

By Aghakazim Guliyev