Vladimir Bukovsky, a prominent member of the Russian dissident movement has denied charges made against him in the UK over making and possessing indecent child sex images.

This includes five counts of making indecent images of children, five of possessing indecent images of children, and one count of possessing prohibited images.

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."

The writer and political activist who has been living in the UK since the 1970s, has been summoned to appear at Cambridge Magistrates' Court on 5 May. But he told the media in Britain that it was the first time he had heard of any such suspicions against him. Bukovsky said in a statement:

"I intend to defend myself vigorously on all charges."

Vladimir Bukovsky was a prominent member of the Russian dissident movement, exposing the Soviet leadership's use of psychiatric wards to hold political prisoners. In 1972, he was sentenced to two years in jail and forced into exile for five. After a prisoner swap with the Communist leader Luis Corvalin, imprisoned in Chile, Bukovsky left the USSR and settled in Britain in 1976.

Bukovsky allegedly committed the crimes before October 28, 2014. He denies all charges.

The revelations and extent of child abuse by some famous British celebrities — most notoriously the late Jimmy Savile, shocked society. The British press, often accused of hounding celebrities before cases even make it to court, appear to be less interested in Bukovsky's case…