Support The Moscow Times!

Moscow ‘Mass Unrest’ Defendants Kept in Pre-Trial Detention Despite Protests, Appeals

Yegor Zhukov thevyshka.ru

A Moscow court has ruled to keep in custody pending trial six of the 14 defendants accused of “mass unrest” over recent election protests that have rocked Russia’s capital.

At least 14 people face up to eight years behind bars for what the authorities call participating in “mass riots” during unauthorized protests in support of rejected opposition candidates on July 27. The activists — among them popular YouTuber and political science student Yegor Zhukov — have received an outpouring of support from ordinary Russians and pop culture figures.

The Moscow City Court rejected appeals against the arrests of Zhukov and fellow defendant Kirill Zhukov, the Mediazona news website reported Thursday. 

Authorities suspect Yegor Zhukov of “gesturing” to direct the crowd’s movements during the July 27 protest. Kirill Zhukov, who has no relation to Yegor, is accused of lifting a police helmet visor.

The court later rejected the appeals of Alexei Minyaylo, who maintains he had been detained before arriving at the demonstration, and Daniil Konon, who is accused of paralyzing traffic.

On Wednesday, the court rejected the appeals of four other defendants: Ivan Podkopayev, Sergei Abanichev, Samariddin Radzhabov and Vladislav Barabanov, Mediazona reported. 

“I’m 21 years old and my life has been going uphill. I've never been involved in any criminal activity,” Radzhabov had said in court.

Thirteen defendants have denied the charges. Valery Kostenok, 20, was reported to be the only person to have pleaded guilty.

The judge on Thursday rejected 612 appeals for Yegor Zhukov to be released on bail, half of them signed by professors and staffers of the Higher School of Economics (HSE) which he attends.

Popular rapper Oxxxymiron had arrived at the Moscow City Court to support the HSE student early Thursday, but was refused entry into the crowded courtroom. 

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysiss and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

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.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more