Left-wing critic of Putin detained ahead of trial for 'justifying terrorism'

FILE PHOTO: Sergei Udaltsov, a prominent Russian left-wing political activist, is seen in a court after been arrested and charged with "justifying terrorism", in Moscow, Russia January 12, 2024. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo

(Reuters) - A Russian court on Friday ordered Sergei Udaltsov, a prominent left-wing activist, to be held in pre-trial detention until Feb. 15 on charges of justifying terrorism.

State news agency RIA said Udaltsov, a long-time critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin who nevertheless backs the war in Ukraine, had told reporters that the charges were related to his support for members of a Marxist group in the Volga river city of Ufa who were charged with terrorism in 2022.