MOSCOW, September 10 - RAPSI. On Monday, the Moscow City Court prolonged the detention of Artyom Savelov until November 6, the court spokesperson told the Russian Legal Information Agency (RAPSI/rapsinews.com). Savelov took part in the riots on Bolotnaya Square in downtown Moscow May 6.
Thus, the court validated the decision of the Moscow Basmanny District Court to extend Savelov's custody and dismissed his attorney's appeal, who had asked for Savelov to be released on bail or to be placed under house arrest.
Attorney Farid Murtazin said at the hearing that the defendant's health had severely deteriorated - he has started stammering and he is also now having problems with his heart, Murtazin says. He added that the investigation regarding his client is practically over and that a decision has been made to initiate a separate case against him.
Savelov took part in the hearing via videoconference as he could not be present in court due to his speech defects.
The prosecutor insisted that Savelov should remain in custody.
Clashes with police flared up on May 6 during an opposition march across Moscow. The public demonstration had been granted a permit by the authorities. Dozens of protesters and police officers were injured. The police detained over 400 rally participants.
In total, 13 individuals were detained as part of the case: Alexandra Dukhanina, Andrei Barabanov, Maxim Luzyanin, Yaroslav Belousov, Rikhard Sobolev, Vladimir Akimenkov, Oleg Arkhipenkov, Fyodor Bakhaov, Artyom Savelov, Alexander Kamensky, Mikhail Kosenko, and Stepan Zimin. Kamensky was later released and no charges were brought against him. Maria Baronova, who was released under her own recognizance, is also a suspect in the case.
Luzyanin, Barabanov, Zimin, Lutskevich, Dukhanina, Belousov, Savyolov and Kosenko were charged with inciting the riots. Almost 1,300 people were called to provide testimony in the case.