The Moscow City Court approved the arrest of political strategist Pyotr Miloserdov

The Moscow City Court recognized as legal the arrest of political strategist Pyotr Miloserdov, accused of creating an extremist community (Part 1 of Article 282.1 of the Criminal Code). The Moscow agency writes about this with reference to the press service of the court.

According to investigators, the political strategist participated in the creation of an extremist community together with nationalist and leader of the “Russians” association Alexander Potkin (Belov).

Miloserdov's lawyer Matvey Tseng told the agency that his client did not hide from the investigation - the political strategist was detained in Moscow at his place of residence. The defense attorney believes that “nobody was looking for” his client.

On January 25, the Khamovnichesky Court of Moscowarrested the political strategist for a month.

In 2016, a criminal case was opened against Pyotr Miloserdov over a 2011 video in which he shouted the slogans “Russia is for Russians!” Moscow is for Muscovites!” during the Russian March.

The slogan “Russia is for Russians!” included in the Federal List of Extremist Materials. The SOVA Information and Analytical Center reports that there is still no clarity about the ban on the slogan in the version without a solid sign at the end.

Miloserdov hid from the investigation after Potkin was sentenced to seven and a half years in a general regime colony in August 2016.

The nationalist was found guilty of legalizing property obtained illegally (Article 174 of the Criminal Code), inciting hatred (Article 282 of the Criminal Code), public calls for extremist activities (Article 280 of the Criminal Code) and creating an extremist community (Article 282.1 of the Criminal Code). In April 2017, Potkin’s sentence was reduced to three and a half years in prison.