Mark Halperin was released after two days in custody

Mark Galperin, who was detained on January 14 during an opposition rally at the monument to Griboedov in Moscow, was released on the afternoon of January 16 without going to court. Judge Safina of the Basmanny District Court of Moscow returned the materials of the administrative cases brought against Galperin to the police department.

The decision to return the case materials under Art. 19.3 Administrative Code

Resolution on the return of case materials under Part 2 of Art. 20.2 Administrative Code

It was expected that the hearing of cases would begin at the Basmanny Court at 11 am on Monday, January 16. Meanwhile, Galperin was taken away from the police department only at about 12:00, and then kept in a police car in the courtyard of the court. At the same time, Galperin managed to report that in the morning, additions were made to the text of the protocol in front of the attesting witnesses, which he could not read.

Galperin's defenders, the witness in the case, as well as the activist's supporters, were in the courthouse since morning. Film crews from the RenTV and NTV channels also came to the court.

After the detention on January 14, two protocols were drawn up against Galperin: under the second part of Article 20.2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses - on violation of the procedure for holding the event by its organizer - and under Article 19.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses - on disobedience to the lawful demand of a police officer.

In total, at least 30 people were detained at the gathering on January 14. All except Galperin were released on the same day.