MOSCOW, August 9 (RAPSI) – The Moscow City Court will consider appeals filed by eight defendants in a criminal case over mass riots which took place in Moscow on July 27 against their detention, RAPSI has learnt from the Presnensky District Court.

On August 14, the court will hear appeals by Ivan Podkopayev, Sergey Abanichev, Vladislav Barabanov and Samariddin Radzhabov. Appeals lodged by Daniil Konon, Yegor Zhukov, Alexey Minyaylo and Kirill Zhukov are set for August 15. The men are charged with participating in riots; some of them are also accused of using violence against a representative of authority.

Unauthorized rallies in support of candidates seeking to become lawmakers of the Moscow State Duma but refused registration by the Election Commission were held on July 27 and August 3 in central Moscow. Over 1,000 people were arrested for various violations as a result.

Following the 27 July rally, the Investigative Committee opened a criminal case over mass riots. Investigators believe that the protest action was held with the use of force against representatives of authority.

Several well-known opposition figures including Alexey Navalny, Dmitry Gudkov, Ilya Yashin were arrested and put in detention for alleged organization of an unauthorized rally.