MOSCOW, November 13 (RAPSI) – Detention until December 14 was on Wednesday upheld for engineer Maxim Martintsov, who stands charged with assault on a police officer during an illegal rally in Moscow in July, RAPSI was told in the Moscow City Court’s press service.

According to investigators, on July 27, Martintsov and one more defendant Egor Lesnykh acting as a group attacked a National Guard officer and knocked him to the ground. Moreover, Lesnykh allegedly kicked another law enforcement officer. 

The engineer pleaded not guilty.

Protest actions began in Moscow in mid-July after election commissions denied registration of certain opposition members as candidates for the Moscow City Duma elections reasoning that documents submitted by them contained numerous violations.

The first unauthorized rally took place hear the Moscow City Election Commission’s building on July 14 and looked like a provocation, according to law experts.

Unauthorized rallies in support of candidates seeking to become lawmakers of the Moscow State Duma but refused registration by the Election Commission were also held on July 27 and August 3 in central Moscow. Over 1,000 people were arrested for various violations as a result.

Following the 27 July rally, the Investigative Committee opened a criminal case over mass riots. Investigators believe that the protest action was held with the use of force against representatives of authority.

Several persons have already been convicted and sentenced to prison.