President Vladimir Putin on Sunday appointed one of the founders of the Just Russia party as presidential envoy for engaging with Russian organizations abroad, the Kremlin said on its website.
Alexander Babakov, a Just Russia deputy in the last Duma, currently sits on the International Affairs Committee and is chairman of the commission for the legal development of the military-industrial complex.
In summer 2011, Babakov caused a scandal by joining the All-Russia People's Front, citing disagreements with party leader Sergei Mironov.
A Just Russia subsequently expelled Babakov from the party, meaning he lost his post as vice speaker in the last Duma.
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