The trial in the case of Artem Loskutov has begun

On October 2, 2009, the Dzerzhinsky District Court of Novosibirsk began considering the case of the artist Artem Loskutov on the merits.

Recall that he was charged under Part 1 of Art. 228 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (illegal acquisition and storage of narcotic substances on a large scale). Loskutov and a witness of the arrest claim that the drug was planted on him during the arrest. Previously, on suspicion of preparing "illegal actions," the artist's phone was tapped by the "E" center, and he himself was called in for a conversation about the annual "monsters", in the organization of which he took an active part.

In our opinion, the peaceful actions of artists had nothing to do with extremism, so the initial interest of the "E" Center in Loskutov had no basis. Moreover, he was charged under a non-extremist article, so the involvement of an anti-extremist unit in the case is puzzling.

Sources

• The dates of the hearings of Artem Loskutov's case have been set. They will be held on October 2, 7 and 12. On September 15, a preliminary hearing was held // ICD. 2009. October 2.
• The trial in the case of Artem Loskutov began // News Academy. 2009. October 2.