MOSCOW, January 19 (RAPSI) – The Constitutional Court has dismissed an appeal filed by opposition politician Alexey Navalny against a ruling of the Central Election Commission prohibiting him from running for president of Russia, the court’s statement reads on its official website.

Navalny believes that the law restricting persons with previous convictions from the president office restricts passive electoral right of Russian citizens, contradicting the Constitution.

The court noted that on October 13, 2013, it confirmed that restrictions may be temporarily applied to persons convicted of grave and especially grave crimes. Back then the court found the contested law to be in line with the Russian Constitution and that lawmakers have a right to raise the requirements for people holding public office. Yet, the court noted, the restrictions have to be temporary.