MOSCOW, October 18 (Itar-Tass) — Moscow investigators have detained a man who they describe as an active participant in the May 6 disorders on the downtown Bolotnaya Square.
“Sergei V. Krivov, born in 1961, is suspected of grabbing a rubber baton from the hands of a policeman and dealing a blow to him with it,” Vladimir Markin, an official spokesman for Russia’s Investigation Committee said.
Krivov is suspected of committing offenses punishable under Article 212 and Article 318 of the Russian Criminal Code – ‘Participation in mass disorders’ and ‘Use of violence against a law enforcement officer’.
Markin said investigation has obtained undeniable evidence that Krivov was involved in these offenses. The body of evidence gathered on him includes testimonies by eyewitnesses and victims, as well as video footage from the site where the offenses were committed.
Investigators hope to issue official charges to him soon and to decide on a pretrial measure for him.
Krivov is the 18th person detained in connection with the May 6 riot on Bolotnaya Square. The Investigations Committee is rounding up investigation of a criminal case featuring sixteen persons.
The case of Maxim Luzyanin, one of the participants, was sent to a court last week and a female participant has been placed on a wanted list.
An authorized action of protest on Bolotnaya Square grew over into clashes with the police and a mass riot. The demonstrators tried to break through the police cordons and some of them threw bottles and fires at policemen.
Also, they offered active resistance as the police tried to detain them.
Some of the protesters went as far as making attempt to rip off the policemen’s protective helmets.
More than 400 demonstrators were detained and more than 30 policemen received injuries.