Police said Friday they had detained a man suspected of releasing pepper spray at a concert by Russian rocker Andrei Makarevich in protest at the musician's stance on Moscow's actions in Ukraine.
The suspect, who hails from Russia's Komi republic, was detained following a joint raid at a property on Leninsky Prospekt by FSB operatives and local law enforcement officers, Interfax news agency reported, citing an Interior Ministry spokesman.
The suspect was later identified by an unidentified law enforcement source as 27-year-old Oleg Mironov, the report added.
Mironov is reportedly a member of the banned National Bolshevik Party, an opposition group established by writer-turned-politician Eduard Limonov that has staunchly backed the Kremlin's policy on Ukraine.
Makarevich, who found fame as the frontman for Soviet rock group Mashina Vremeni, recently criticized Moscow's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, drawing widespread condemnation at home.
His Yiddish Jazz show was disrupted for two hours last week after pepper spray was released at the Moscow venue, though the concert was eventually resumed at the audience's request, Interfax reported.
Following the attack, police opened a criminal investigation into hooliganism, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
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 every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
