Russian activist Navalny ineligible for 2018 presidential run

June 23 (UPI) -- Russian activist Alexei Navalny is barred from running for president in 2018 because of a prior criminal conviction, the nation's Central Election Commission announced Friday.

A frequent critic of Russian corruption and of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Navalny was found guilty of embezzlement in February and given a suspended sentence. He called the case politically motivated. He was also sentenced to 30 days' administrative arrest for his role in organizing anti-corruption demonstrations across Russia on June 12, a national holiday.

Russian law forbids convicted citizens from running for public office. The election commission said in a statement Friday that the February conviction prevents him from seeking the presidency.

Putin is eligible to run for his fourth term as president in 2018, but has not announced his decision.