Authorities have finished their investigations into two of the 17 suspects thought to have disturbed the peace at the March of Millions opposition rally on May 6.
Maxim Luzyanin has been charged with engaging in violence “not dangerous for life or health in relation to government officials” and with participating in a riot, the Investigative Committee said in a Monday.
Luzyanin is accused of throwing asphalt at a police officer and, with accomplices, tearing off a riot policeman’s uniform, knocking him onto the ground and beating him.
The riot policeman suffered “cranio-cerebral trauma” and other injuries, the statement said, adding that Luzyanin also attacked three other police officers and tried to strangle one of them.
Luzyanin’s lawyer, Sergei Shushpanov, told The Moscow Times that his client had admitted his guilt. Luzyanin faces up to five years in prison for the violence-against-authorities charge and up to eight years for participating in a riot.
Investigators determined that another suspect, Mikhail Kosenko, was mentally unstable and did not understand the danger his undisclosed actions posed. They recommended that he undergo psychiatric treatment and asked prosecutors to confirm the decision.
The investigations into the 15 other suspects were nearing completion Monday, the committee said.
The May 6 rally on downtown Moscow’s Bolotnaya Ploshchad ended with violent clashes between opposition demonstrators and riot police. More than 400 people were detained.
Twelve suspects were still in detention as of Monday. Four others were under court-imposed travel restrictions, and one suspect was under house arrest.
Related articles:
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.