Former Leader of the 'Russians' Movement's Moscow Division Arrested in Moscow

On 11 April 2013, the former leader of Russian nationalist front “Pamyat”, former head of Moscow division of the “Russians” movement and manager of the movement’s “court of honour”, Georgii Borovikov was arrested. Together with Borovikov, two of his “comrades in arms” were also arrested, Vladislav Bragin and Andrey Shishkanov. All three have been accused of paragraphs “a” and “d” of the Part 2 of Article 161 (robbery with the use of violence or the threat of violence, carried out as a group of persons with prior intent). The date of the event in question was 6 June 2012 and the victim was “comrade in arms” Artem Tomskii from Ulan-Ude.

According to the investigation Borovikov met the victim in opposition camp “Occupy Abay” where they carried out the function of patrol. In June 2012 the nationalist’s “comrades” accused the man from Ulan-Ude of theft and fell upon the young man by the entrance, starting to beat him. At the sound of the cries Borovikov ran out and advised not to “draw attention from people and bring the “court of honour” right into his flat.”

The “proceedings” lasted five days. According to a media broadcast, the victim’s documents were taken from him and he was beaten with a whip and mop and cauterised with a burning hot knife. They then wanted to rape the victim and take a video. In the end the video was taken (as reported by operatives it was even on YouTube for some time for the “intimidation of enemies”, but it was deleted and the original has been filed). The victim was able to escape and “lay low”. In March he went to the police with the accusation. On 26 March criminal proceedings were instigated. Borovikov and his “comrades in arms” were arrested. A search was carried out at his home, during which the victim's passport was discovered, along with all the means of the execution of the crime.

As right-wing sites are commenting, the victim Artem Tomskii was excluded from “Great Russia” by Andrey Savelyev in the summer of 2012 after appearing at a protest camp under alcohol and being turned out.

Bragin has pleaded guilty, Shishkanov and Borovikov are pleading not guilty.

The investigation is examining further episodes of Borovikov’s activity. As indicated by a law enforcement source, this is not the first “court of honour” which has been made known to the investigation. In August 2012 Borovikov gathered his “comrades” in the Sergiev Posad district near Moscow for a summer rally where he met the leader of the Kursk division of the “Russians”, Oleg Nikitenko. After the rally they travelled together to former police employee Andrey Shishkanov (Kay). As Shishkanov’s guests, the “comrades” started to settle the matter of which of them was the greatest National Socialist. The dispute escalated into a fight, resulting in Nikitenko being brutally beaten. Ex-policeman Shishkanov suggested they made it look like an accident. The injured man was hung from the outside of the balcony by his hands, then falling down and severely injuring himself. Shishkanov was called to criminal accountability and on 29 March 2012 was sentenced as according to article 110 (incitement to suicide) to six months of correctional labour and a fine. Other than him, A. Dobryak and A. Malakhov were also accused of assault of Mr Nikitenko and unintentional manslaughter and the case was transferred to the Chertanovo court on 6 February 2013. Borovikov did not get involved in the proceedings.

It should be pointed out that G. Borovikov was previously excluded from the “Russians” movement and was not re-elected to the post of head of the movement’s Moscow division, Anton Severny instead taking his place.