SOVIET dissident Vladimir Bukovsky is to be charged with making and possessing indecent images of children.

The political activist, 72, will appear in court early next month following an investigation by Cambridgeshire Police, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

He will be charged with five counts of making an indecent photograph of a child, five counts of possessing indecent photographs of children, and one count of possessing a prohibited image.

He will appear at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court on May 5.

Jenny Hopkins, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the CPS in the East of England, said: “Following an investigation by Cambridgeshire Police, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to prosecute Vladimir Bukovsky in relation to the alleged making and possessing of indecent images of children.”

She added: “The decision to prosecute was taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.”