Accused of desecration of the Russian flag left Russia

Nikita Sadkov, who is accused of desecrating the Russian flag (Article 329 of the Criminal Code) and inciting hatred or enmity (Article 282 of the Criminal Code), left the territory of Russia in search of political asylum. This was reported by Mediazona with reference to the Agora International Human Rights Group.

According to investigators, on August 15, 2016, Sadkov posted an “extremist video containing calls aimed at inciting hatred and enmity against Russians” in the YaPlakal community on the VKontakte social network, and on August 21 he brought the Russian flag to the Kremlin walls, doused it with fire starter and set it on fire.

Sadkov himself wrote on his Facebook that during the search at his house, he and his mother were beaten:

I was put on the international wanted list for an Internet post criticizing Russia, where I called the Russians fascists, which was just a statement of fact. My post was interpreted as extremism and inciting hatred towards Russians, as if someone else loves them. OMON broke into the apartment, beat me and my mother. A subsequent psychiatric examination diagnosed me with sluggish schizophrenia, based on my eccentric appearance (sometimes I dress as gay) and political views (called "reformist delusions" in the examination). To my mother’s question “why?! he didn’t kill, didn’t rob anyone,” the FSB officer answered, “it would be better if he sold drugs, and didn’t get into politics.” Now let Russia try to get my extradition from Ukraine.

The Kuzminsky District Court of Moscow arrested Sadkov in absentia. The court decision indicated that he was put on the international wanted list.