# Russian Communist candidate Nikolai Bondarenko detained over Navalny photo in ‘extremist symbols’ case

https://mins.news/en/item/28701

- Meduza, 2026-08-21 17:56 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://meduza.io/en/news/2026/08/21/nikolai-bondarenko-a-communist-party-candidate-for-russia-s-parliament-is-arrested-over-a-navalny-photo-tied-to-an-extremist-symbols-charge

> Police detained Nikolai Bondarenko, a Communist Party candidate for Russia’s State Duma, in Saratov on August 21. He said he faces an administrative charge over displaying “extremist symbols.” A KPRF official said the case concerns a 2024 post showing Alexey Navalny that came from an account not belonging to Bondarenko. A penalty could bar him from the election.

## Related coverage

- [Russian Communist politician fined over Navalny photo, likely barring him from election](https://mins.news/en/item/28955) — The Kyiv Independent, 2026-08-21