MH17-linked Russian nationalist who wanted to run against Putin to stay in detention

Russian nationalist Igor Girkin, who had said he wanted to challenge Vladimir Putin in a presidential election in March 2024, had his detention extended for six months on Dec 7 as he awaits trial on charges of inciting extremism. The ruling, announced by a Moscow court, extinguishes the already faint prospect that Girkin might be allowed to run. The 52-year-old is known in the West for his role in the shooting-down of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over Ukraine in 2014 with the loss of 298 passengers and crew. A Dutch court last year convicted him in absentia of murder. Girkin has denied involvement. The former Federal Security Service (FSB) officer had organised pro-Russian militias in eastern Ukraine since early 2014. Also known as Igor Strelkov, he has repeatedly said Russia faces upheaval unless the military leadership fights more effectively in Ukraine. He could be jailed for five years if convicted of "public calls to commit extremist activity".<br/>