Russia’s prosecutor general’s office has ordered a ban on access to three major opposition news websites in addition to the popular blog of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, amid the Moscow’s clash with the West over Ukraine.
According to the government’s media watchdog Roskomnadzor three popular opposition news websites including Grani.ru and EJ.ru had been added to its banned list, along with Live Journal blog of Navalny.
The move comes days after chief editor of Lenta.ru, the Russia’s oldest and most popular news website was sacked over the exposure of the Ukrainian crisis.
The regulator said that the latest blocks had been imposed due to the sites’ involvement in helping stage recent ‘illegal’ protests, while critics claimed the blocks form part of moves by Russia’s government to choke dispute.
The oppositions however, claim that it is another attempt to muzzle independent media and the internet.
In addition, the media services, including a website of chess champion turned activist Garry Kasparov, were banned for ‘calling for unlawful activity and taking part in mass events’.
Roskomnadzor said in a statement: "These sites contain incitement to illegal activity and participation in public events held in violation of the established order."
