Two armed men were detained as they attempted to make their way onto the campus of the prestigious Moscow State University, Interfax news agency reported Thursday, citing an unnamed source in law enforcement.
The suspects attracted the attention of police when they attempted to drive a BMW through a traffic barricade leading onto the campus, according to Interfax. When a policeman approached the vehicle and asked its occupants to present their identity documents, one of the suspects threatened the officer with a gun.
The suspects attempted to flee but were apprehended by other policemen who had been called onto the scene. One of the officers reportedly fired several shots from his traumatic pistol as the suspects resisted arrest.
One of the suspects and some policemen taking part in the arrests sustained non-life threatening injuries, according to Interfax's source.
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.
