MOSCOW, April 28 (Itar-Tass) - A member of Coordination Council of Opposition Forces, Alexei Gaskarov was detained Sunday in connection with a criminal case over a riot that took place May 6, 2012, on Bolotnaya Square in downtown Moscow, the press service of Russia’s Investigations Committee said.
It said Gaskarov had been detained on suspicions of committing the offenses punishable under Article 212 of the Criminal Code /involvement in mass disorders/ and Article 318 /violence against representatives of law enforcement agencies/.
“According to the information available to investigators, Gaskarov commanded a group of individuals who were highly active in brawls and fist-fighting on Bolotnaya Square May 6, 2012,” the press service said.
“Apart from this, Gaskarov himself used physical violence against a policeman, thus hindering the fulfillment of occupational duties by the man who was supposed to detain the persons displaying aggressive behavior,” the press service said.
Gaskarov was elected a member of the Coordination Council of Opposition Forces, which unites Russia’s off-parliamentary opposition, at the end of October 2012.
“Charges with committing a criminal offense will be issued to him shortly and a decision on pretrial measures will be taken, too,” the Investigations Committee said.
“Gaskarov’s guilt is confirmed by the video footage the Committee has at its disposal, as well as by the evidence provided by eyewitnesses’ evidence and eyewitnesses, who confirmed that he had committed a crime, indeed,” the spokesman said
The Investigations Committee continues its efforts to spotlight all the participants in the May 2012 riots on Bolotnaya Square, the press service said.