Pavel Gubarev, associate of Igor Strelkov, reportedly investigated for extremism

Russian law enforcement agencies are investigating Pavel Gubarev, former self-styled “People’s Governor” of the self-proclaimed “Donetsk People’s Republic” (“DNR”), for extremism related to his posts on Telegram, reports the Russian newspaper Kommersant. The exact posts in question were not specified.

On July 21, Gubarev was detained outside of a courthouse in Moscow, where he was individually protesting the arrest of his associate Igor Strelkov. After speaking with the police and being told that protests were not permitted, he was released.

Igor Strelkov was arrested on charges of making “public calls for extremist activity on the Internet.” Igor Strelkov (whose real surname is Girkin), is a convicted war criminal, former commander of troops fighting for the self-proclaimed “DNR,” former FSB officer, and, until today, pro-war and anti-Putin blogger. He orchestrated the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17) over Ukraine in 2014.