Russian exiled media raises funds for political prisoners

WARSAW: Russian exiled media and activists held a telethon on Wednesday in support of the growing number of political prisoners in the country, raising tens of thousands of euros for those behind bars.

Russia has orchestrated a huge crackdown since sending troops to Ukraine, implementing Soviet-style censorship laws. Leading rights group Memorial says Russia now has 739 political prisoners.

Fears for their safety have grown since opposition leader Alexei Navalny died in prison in February.

Russia´s main independent media Meduza, Dozhd TV and Mediazona, as well as rights groups, ran Wednesday´s YouTube show -- dubbed “You are not alone” -- to raise funds for prisoners and their families.

Lawyers, activists and cultural figures who oppose the Ukraine invasion were invited to speak. “People are sitting (in prison) for years. They need constant support for them and their families,” Oleg Navalny, the younger brother of the late Alexei, said on the show.