Investigators Claim Russian Opposition Figures Had Foreign Aid

Russian opposition activists hold posters bearing portraits of a jailed opposition activist Leonid Razvozzhayev during a rally in central Moscow last month.

Russian investigators say they have evidence that opposition figures were receiving help from abroad as part of plans to overthrow the Russian government.

Russian Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin said on November 30 the committee has new proof that activists Sergei Udaltsov, Leonid Razvozzhayev, and Konstantin Lebedev had "numerous meetings" with foreign citizens while making plans to organize massive disturbances.

Markin named Georgian citizen Givi Targamadze as being one of those foreigners.

Russian investigators have accused Targamadze before.

Targamadze denies any connection to the Russian opposition.

Markin said the new evidence would be made public after examinations were finished.

Based on reporting by AP and Interfax