MOSCOW, November 24 (RAPSI, Oleg Sivozhelezov) – Russia’s Supreme Court has upheld a ruling to ban the political party Volya as extremist organization, RAPSI learned from the court’s press-service on Thursday.

The court has dismissed an appeal filed by the organization’s representatives against the August 9 ruling.

On August 9, the court ruled to liquidate the party; its property must be passed into the ownership of the Russian Federation.

Russia’s Justice Ministry earlier lodged an application with the Supreme Court seeking liquidation of the political party “Volya”. The ministry demanded to shut down the party because of allegedly extremist activity. The plaintiff insisted that extremist materials had been regularly published on the party’s website.

On August 6, the Central Election Commission denied registration of the party members as candidates for the State Duma elections.  Legislative elections were held in Russia on September 18, 2016.

In July, a court in Samara arrested the party leader Svetlana Lada-Rus (Peunova) in absentia on suspicion of fraud. Lada-Rus was put on the international wanted list.

Investigators claim that Lada-Rus along with her unidentified accomplices falsely acquired the right of control of non-residential properties of others.