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Moscow court begins hearing Bolotnaya Square riot case

The preliminary hearing was held in the building of the Moscow City Court because of a large number of the defendants and great public interest in the trial
Photo ITAR-TASS Archive
Photo ITAR-TASS Archive

MOSCOW, June 6 (Itar-Tass) - Moscow's Zamoskvorechye court on Thursday began to review a case against 12 persons accused of mass disturbances in Bolotnaya Square on May 6, 2012.

The preliminary hearing was held in the building of the Moscow City Court because of a large number of the defendants and great public interest in the trial.

The investigator said the defendants had called for mass disturbances in Moscow's Bolotnaya Square on May 6, 2012, and actively participated in them. They accompanied their actions by the destruction of property and violence against police.

Eighty-two police were injured, and the damage to federal and municipal organizations exceeded 28 million roubles.

On November 9, 2012, the Zamoskvorechye court sentenced Maxim Luzyanin, a participant in the riot, to four years and six months in prison. Luzyanin had pleaded guilty and signed a plea bargain agreement.

Police are continuing the investigation into the case against suspected masterminds behind the riot - Left Front leader Sergei Udaltsov, his aide Leonid Razvozzhayev and their suspected sponsor - Georgian politician Givi Targamadze.