The Artpodgotovka movement was finally recognized as extremist and banned

The Supreme Court of Russia recognized as legal the liquidation and ban on the activities of the Artpodgotovka movement, which is headed by Vyacheslav Maltsev. This was reported by Kommersant with reference to a TASS correspondent.

The court upheld the decision of the Krasnoyarsk Regional Court to recognize the movement as extremist.

Lawyer Igor Elifkhanov stated at the trial that the Artpodgotovka organization does not exist at all. According to him, Maltsev’s supporters simply listened to his speeches, communicated on the Internet and in public spaces.

However, according to the prosecutor, the movement had an ideology and structure and actually carried out its activities. The prosecution believes that “Artpodgotovka” called for “a revolution, for taking to the squares and attacks on local administrations.”

On October 26, 2017, the Krasnoyarsk Regional Court recognized the Artpodgotovka movement as an extremist organization.

The leader of the movement, Vyacheslav Maltsev, has now left Russia. A criminal case has been opened against him for inciting extremism for speaking at a rally on the occasion of the anniversary of the events on Bolotnaya Square. Maltsev is on the international wanted list .

• On February 28, the FSB reported on its website about the detention in Kaluga of a group of people allegedly involved in arms trafficking in the Central Federal District. According to the intelligence service, in addition to 27 firearms and nine explosive devices, law enforcement officers found literature and leaflets with “anti-constitutional content,” as well as paraphernalia with the symbols of “Artpodgotovka.”

The FSB investigative unit opened a criminal case under Part 2 of Art. 222 of the Criminal Code (illegal acquisition, storage and sale of weapons and ammunition). * On February 27, FSB officers conducted a search at the headquarters of Alexei Navalny’s strike in Kaluga. Law enforcement officers explained the search by saying that they had received information that allegedly members of the Artpodgotovka movement and defendants in the criminal case, Rozanov and Nikitin, were active supporters of Navalny’s headquarters. Staff members noted that the Kaluga participants in Artpodgotovka had never heard of these names.