MOSCOW, December 4 (RAPSI) – Russian citizen Alexander Valov, who stands charged with involvement in the activities of Right Sector nationalist organization, banned in Russia, has been arrested in absentia, the Investigative Committee’s press office reports Monday.

Investigators claim that Valov left Russia before 2014 in order to join Right Sector in Ukraine. The man allegedly participated in the organization’s mass public events, took photos and videos, and propagandized extremism online.

Currently, Valov is engaged in combat in southeast Ukraine as a mercenary of the Azov battalion, according to Russian investigators.

Right Sector is a Ukrainian association of radical nationalist organizations. In January and February 2014, its members clashed with police and seized administrative buildings in Kiev. Since April 2014, Right Sector has been involved in fighting the protest movement in eastern Ukraine.

In November 2014, Russia’s Supreme Court declared Right Sector an extremist group and banned its activity in Russia. The Investigative Committee opened a criminal case against Right Sector leader Dmitry Yarosh for alleged incitement of terrorism.

In January 2015, Right Sector was added to the Russian register of prohibited organizations.