In Krasnodar, police suspects participant of oppositional rally of extremism

In Krasnodar, power agencies examine Mikhail Lukashev, an activist of the Other Russia, arrested on December 24 after his participation in the rally "For Fair Elections", for his involvement in extremist activities. According to oppositionists, the examination was caused by the poster with the slogan reading: "Let riot arise".

Let us remind you that, according to official information, about 250 people attended the rally "For Fair Elections" held in Krasnodar; however, protesters claimed 1000 participants. Members and supporters of the CPRF (Communist Party of the Russian Federation), "Spravedlivaya Rossiya" (Fair Russia) Party, "Yabloko" Party, and representatives of the unregistered movement Other Russia gathered in the square in front of the Railway Cultural Centre. The rally ended with detention of eight rally participants. The "Caucasian Knot" broadcasted live from the protest action from Rostov-on-Don.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told at the office of the Other Russia that their three activists of the Other Russia were detained Irina Mischenko, Sergey Dorofeev, and Michael Lukashev. "All detainees were forced into a police bus and brought to the Krasnodar UVD (Interior Department)," the Party's office has noted. According to recent information, all three of them were released.

However, according to a woman-representative of a human rights organization, investigators try to accuse Mikhail Lukashev of extremism. The source said that Mikhail Lukashev "was detained after the rally at bus stop." "At the moment of detention, he has in his hands a poster with the slogan reading: 'Let riot arise'," said the human rights defender. She has noted that during the search, the role of witnesses "was played by front persons, who just approached and signed the protocol."

According to the human rights defender, at the police station, Mikhail Lukashev was threatened and subjected to psychological pressure. At present, seized poster was sent for examination, it "would be examined for extremism."

A source at the Chief Investigatory Department of the GUVD (Chief Interior Department) of the Krasnodar Territory said that the detention of Mikhail Lukashev was caused by suspicion of extremism. "A flag with symbols, similar to symbols of the organization, which carried out extremist activities and which was prohibited by the court, was found at Mikhail Lukashev's place," stated the source. According to investigatory agencies, they also seized from Mikhail Lukashev a banner with presumably extremist text. The investigatory agencies refused to report more information, referring to the fact that "the investigation was underway."