MOSCOW, September 6 - RAPSI. Gazeta.ru correspondent Alexander Artemyev was interrogated on Wednesday at the Investigative Committee as a witness in a case arising from riots that broke out in central Moscow May 6 riots in the aftermath of the March of Millions, attorney Farit Murtazin told the Russian Legal Information Agency (RAPSI/rapsinews.com).

Murtazin said that Artemyev was also questioned with regard to LGBT activist Alexei Kiselev, who has asked Spain to grant him political sanctuary.
"Investigators were interested in how Artemyev got an interview with Kiselev," the attorney said, adding that neither he, nor Artemyev, can disclose the details of the interrogation, since they signed a non-disclosure statement.

Murtazin said that the correspondent was assigned to report on the May 6 rally by the editorial board.

"He said that after 9 pm, a group of 15-20 people, including Artemyev, were pushed toward the metro. Several seconds later, he heard the order "Take everyone". The police announced no charges, but just twisted his arms around and literally carried him to the police car," the attorney said.

As soon as Artemyev got in touch with the editorial board, he was released and no protocols were drafted in his regard.

Clashes with the police flared up on May 6 during an officially permitted opposition march across Moscow. Dozens of protesters and police officers were injured. The police detained over 400 rally participants.

After May 6, the opposition continued its protests in the form of "people's promenades", where crowds of opposition activists strolled together peacefully through the city in a show of opposition. In June, investigators searched the homes of rally organizers and participants.