MOSCOW, November 5 (RAPSI, Olga Siverkina ) – Russia’s Investigative Committee has brought charges in absentia against Nikita Kulachenkov, an associate of the opposition leader Alexei Navalny, in a painting theft case, attorney Vasily Kushnir told RAPSI on Wednesday.

In September, another Navalny’s associate Georgy Alburov was also charged with theft and placed under restriction notice.

According to the investigation, the painting, “Bad and Good Man” that was on public display in central Vladimir was stolen by unknown persons. The painting belongs to a local artist and the loss is “significant to the artist,” the Investigative Committee stated.

Navalny refused to testify in this case and claimed it was fabricated.

Alexei Navalny is a Russian political and public figure, leader of the Party of Progress. He ran for Moscow mayor and is the author of one of the most popular political blogs that was banned for promoting unauthorized public protests.

Navalny is currently involved in several criminal cases. He is under house arrest as a result of the Yves Roches Vostok embezzlement case. He denies all allegations and claims the case is politically motivated.