Google blocks list of Russian candidates recommended by jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny

Google has blocked lists of Russian candidates recommended by jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny as best placed to defeat Kremlin-aligned politicians in parliamentary and local polls closing Sunday.

The move comes as the US tech giant faces mounting criticism from the Russian opposition and abroad for backing down to demands from Russian authorities, who are trying to bring the Russian segment of the internet under their control.

The lists are part of Navalny’s “Smart Voting” strategy, which calls for his supporters to vote out candidates aligned with President Vladimir Putin’s ruling United Russia party in a three-day vote finishing at 8:00 pm Sunday.