All news

Udaltov denies accusations, waits for experts' conclusion

Two articles prescribe up to five years' imprisonment

MOSCOW, October 26 (Itar-Tass) —— The charge of preparation for organization of mass disorders is officially brought against Left Front leader Sergei Udaltsov, Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin told Itar-Tass.

Udaltsov does not admit his quilt. Questioned as a defendant, he gave detailed testimony, Markin said.

The investigator on Friday brought the charge against him under the corresponding articles of the Russian Criminal Code (Article 30 and Article 212 -- "preparation for organization of mass disorders"), the SK official said.

Under the two articles, the opposition activist may face up to five years' imprisonment.

Udalstov is not taken into custody, but remains under home arrest.

He has already left the Investigative Committee building. He told reporters he did not intend to leave Russia.

"I believe the criminal case is fabricated," he said.

Udaltsov noted he felt it was unjust that his comrades -- Konstantin Lebedev and Leonid Razvozzhayev -- were in custody, while he remained free, but it did not mean that he wanted to join them in the Lefortovo jail. He wants them to be also free, he said.

About the investigation itself, the Left Front leader explained that he was asked not to divulge the information.

Nevertheless, Udaltsov and his attorney Violetta Volkova told reporters that experts would study the film "the Anatomy of Protest-2". The investigators informed them about the questions to experts to check whether the video recording was true.

It is a video recording of a meeting of opposition activists with head of the Georgian parliament committee for defence and security Givi Targamadze and discussion of preparation for mass disorders in Russia with financing from abroad.

Udaltsov on Friday once again stated that he had not met with Targamadze and had not made any preparations for mass disorders. He said he was not guilty and denied the accusations.

The criminal case on charges of preparation for organization of mass disorders was opened against Left Front leader Udaltsov, his aide Konstantin Lebedev and State Duma deputy Ilya Ponomaryov's aide Leonid Razvozzhayev after the facts of the Anatomy of Protest-2 film were checked. The film has the video recording of discussion of possibility to organize mass disorders in Moscow and some other regions in Russia.

The investigators will also check the information about possible preparation of terrorist attacks in Russia by the participants in the meeting shown in the film. If the information is confirmed, legal assessment will be given to the actions of Udaltsov and the other participants in the meeting, including the Georgian citizens, SK said earlier.

In connection with the case, Udaltsov is not allowed to leave the country, and Lebedev and Razvozzhayev are arrested. Charges are brought against both. Razvozzhayev was on a federal wanted list. On October 21, he informed the main SK department that he wished to voluntarily give himself up, the Investigative Committee said.

As was reported on Thursday, Razvozzhayev officially denied that he gave himself up and repudiated his testimony. The Investigative Committee noted the investigators already had enough evidence over the case without his testimony.

The Left Front leader himself and State Duma member Ponomaryov repeatedly stated that the three, Udaltsov, Razvozzhayev and Lebedev, had not made any preparations for mass disorders.