The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office on Wednesday initiated criminal proceedings over the alleged embezzlement of opposition council funds, PGO spokeswoman Marina Gridneva said.

The case is based on complaints from 64 citizens over an online fundraising drive for the opposition coordination council.

The drive organizers required 10,000 rubles (about $300) as membership fees for participation in the council election due on October 20-21.

Following a preliminary inquiry at the PGO’s request, the Russian Interior Ministry Chief Directorate for Moscow launched a criminal case on fraud charges, Gridneva said.

The opposition coordinating council will be elected for one year to spearhead the push for political change in Russia.

It will have 45 members representing leftists, liberals and nationalists.

There are a total of 216 candidates on the list, including anti-Putin protest leader Sergei Udaltsov, opposition figurehead Alexei Navalny, opposition party leader Boris Nemtsov, and outspoken environmental activist Yevgenia Chirikova.