Support The Moscow Times!

4 More Charged for Clashes With Police in May 6 Rally

Criminal charges are being filed against four more demonstrators who allegedly incited mass riots and violence at the May 6 opposition rally, which ended in clashes with police and hundreds of arrests.

The Investigative Committee on Monday identified the defendants as Stepan Zimin, Denis Lutskevich, Rikhard Sobolev and Oleg Arkhipenkov.

Another four demonstrators were recently hit with the same charges and face lengthy prison terms.

Maria Baronova, an aide to State Duma Deputy Ilya Ponomaryov, was also summoned so that related charges could be filed against her "in the coming days," the committee said.

Several police officers were injured and more than 400 people detained at the May 6 rally on Bolotnaya Ploshchad, across the Moscow River opposite the Kremlin.

As part of an investigation into violence at that protest, police recently raided the homes of several opposition activists and called them in for questioning at the same time that another major rally was scheduled.

During the raids, authorities confiscated more than $1.7 million in cash from the apartment of TV personality-turned-opposition activist Ksenia Sobchak.

The Investigative Committee said Monday that officials were scrutinizing Sobchak's income tax declaration for last year, which she filed on May 3. The results should be reported within three months.

Izvestia reported Monday that investigators are considering charging Sobchak with tax evasion. Sobchak denounced such charges as "slander" and "fabrication."

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more