Russian anti-Kremlin ex-lawmaker says criminal case opened against him - Reuters

Opposition leader Gennady Gudkov (C, front) takes part in the "March of Millions" protest rally in Moscow, September 15, 2012. Protesters chanting "Russia without Putin" began marching through Moscow on Saturday in a protest seen as a test of the opposition's ability to mount a sustained challenge to President Vladimir Putin. REUTERS/Mikhail Voskresensky

Russian authorities have opened a criminal case against Gennady Gudkov, a former Russian lawmaker and Kremlin critic who lives abroad, over ammunition found at his apartment, he said on Thursday.

The pistol ammunition was found in a safe during a police search of Gudkov's apartment in Russia over an unrelated criminal case this week. He said it was an award he received in 2005 and that the police had been earlier informed about it.

There was no official confirmation of the criminal case from law enforcement.

The action comes amid a broad crackdown on the Kremlin's political opponents. The 64-year-old, who lives in European Union member state Bulgaria, accused authorities of opening the case to stop him from being able to return to Russia.

His son, Dmitry Gudkov, who is a prominent opposition politician, was detained in Moscow on Tuesday over an allegedly unpaid debt on a rented property dating from several years ago. His father said his son had nothing to do with that debt.

A court in Moscow had been expected on Thursday to consider the terms of pre-trial custody for Dmitry. However, no hearing had begun by early evening and he was due to be released from custody at 1640 GMT unless it took place, his lawyer said.

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