MOSCOW, August 30 (RAPSI) – Investigators have initiated probe into the organization of a cell of the banned movement Arestantskoye Ugulovnoye Yedinstvo / Criminal Unity of Inmates (AUE) in Moscow’s detention center Matrosskaya Tishina, the press service of the Moscow prosecutor’s office reports.

A criminal case is opened over organization and participation in the extremist organization and extremism funding.

According to the investigation, a group of detainees organized a cell of the banned movement in the penitentiary facility. The group members obstruct conduction of official duties of the detention center’s officers, refuse to comply with the facility administration’s demands, violate the detention order and organize delivery of banned items to the detention center.

In August 2020, the Supreme Court declared the movement an extremist organization and banned its activities in Russia. The Court granted an administrative claim of the Prosecutor General. 

The Prosecutor General’s Office stressed that the activities of the movement based on a criminal and extremist ideology presented a real threat to lives and health of citizens, the society, and the state; members of the movement were involved in extremist crimes and mass riots.

In October, Russia’s Justice Ministry added the movement the list of extremist organizations banned in Russia.