Investigators have ruled that no rioting took place on Manezh Square on Dec. 11, which means that people detained for participation in the violence will face lighter prison sentences, an Investigative Committee spokesman said, Kommersant reported Tuesday.
Participants of the nationalist rally that left more than 30 injured will only be charged with calls to riot — punishable with up to three years in prison — since police prevented the actual rioting, the report said.
Suspects also face up to two years for inciting racial hatred by nonviolent means, the daily said. But those who attacked police may face up to 10 years for their actions. Twenty-two cases have been opened over the rally. An unidentified student was fined 1,000 rubles ($32) Tuesday for disobeying police orders, Interfax said.
(MT)
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