MOSCOW, February 28 (RAPSI) – The Supreme Court of Russia has declared the Artpodgotovka civil movement, headed by Vyacheslav Maltsev, extremist, RAPSI correspondent reports from the courtroom.
The court dismissed an appeal against a ruling of the Krasnoyarsk Regional Court.
According to Igor Eliphkhanov, who represents the interests of Maltsev, the Artpodgotovka organization has never actually existed. He noted that the movement was active only on the Internet representing will of individuals, who did not receive any directives from Maltsev.
Prosecutor Tatyana Lazareva on the other hand said that the movement had defined name, symbols and a leader who tasked the organization’s members with particular goals. She added that the movement’s members propagated ideas of revolution and riots to dismantle the state authority. In 2017, many of these members became defendants in criminal cases over extremism.
In November 2017, the Federal Security Service (FSB) stated that it suppressed activity of the movement’s conspicuous cell. Allegedly on November 4 and 5, 2017, its members planned to commit extremist actions in order to provoke mass riots. Alleged extremists were arrested with 15 bottles containing inflammatory liquid in their possession. Cells in Moscow, Kazan, Krasnoyarsk, Samara, Saratov and Krasnodar were also suppressed.
According to FSB, the unregistered movement was created by Maltsev to organize a revolution in Russia.
In October, the Moscow City Court upheld a lower court’s ruling on arrest in absentia for Maltsev in a criminal case over extremism. Maltsev was charged with public calls for extremist activity. He is to stay in detention for two months after the moment of his arrest in Russia or extradition or deportation from another country. Currently, he is on the international wanted list.
Earlier, media reported that the case against Maltsev was launched after his speech at the rally called “For Russia without outrage and repressions” related to the anniversary of a rally at Bolotnaya Square on May 6, 2012.
