Nationalists from Syktyvkar in ‘Azov’

At the beginning of year 2015, media reported that, among fighters of the Ukrainian volunteer battalion 'Azov', they identified nationalist Alexey ‘Kolovrat’ Kozhemyakin, known in the Komi Republic. A correspondent identified Alexey ‘Kolovrat’ Kozhemyakin on one of the pictures of Ukrainian battalion 'Azov' published on the official page of the armed group on social network VKontakte.

The comments on the post made on January 3 2015 stated that the picture had been taken on Saint Michael’s Square in Kiev, before fighters’ departure to combat zones.

On December 13 2014, Alexey Kozhemyakin made a post “Why do we fight?” saying he was in Ukraine, and published it on the page of one of the ultra right-wing communities on VKontakte. At the end of November 2014, there were reports on right-wing websites about Kozhemyakin’s departure to Ukraine.

Recall that Alexey Kozhemyakin was chairman of the organization ‘Slavic brotherhood’ and now he is one of the activists of ‘Frontier of the North’.

He has repeatedly drawn the attention of law enforcement agencies.

At the end of January 2007, Syktyvar Court, according to paragraph E, part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code (intentional infliction of grievous bodily harm motivated by racial, ethnic or religious hatred), sentenced 20 years-old Alexey Kozhemyakin to seven years in jail, for the attack on citizens of Azerbaijan in August 2005.

In early November 2013, before the Russian March, he was arrested (along with the leader of the organization Zyriansky Union, Alexander Karmanov), and later released on terms of remaining at his approved address.

Then, Kozhemyakin headed the Komi branch of the 'Occupy pedophilia' movement.

Activists lured to a meeting a local resident Ivan Dzhangurov. He came with a group of young people. According to the reports published on ultra-right websites, the meeting turned into a fight, during which knives were used. Kozhemyakin stabbed one of the young men. The police stopped the fight. Kozhemyakin was detained. On June 23 2014, the case against the nationalist, accused of causing bodily harm (Part 1 of Article 115 of the Criminal Code), was stopped due to lack of victims’ statements.

On November 4 2014, Kozhemyakin spoke at the Russian March held in Syktyvar.

Alexey Kozhemyakin was also involved as a suspect in the case of vandalizing the Jewish cultural center in Syktyvar, which took place in October 2013.

On June 19 2014, proceedings were completed under Part 1, Article 282 (incitement to racial hatred) and Part 2, article 214 (vandalism) of the Criminal Code. Kozhemyakin pleaded non guilty and fled to Kiev.