Police have arrested a man suspected of attacking anti-corruption activist Nikolai Lyaskin, an aide to opposition leader Alexei Navalny, the Interfax news agency reported.
A week after Navalny organized mass protests in dozens of cities throughout Russia, an unidentified man approached Lyaskin in central Moscow on Sept. 15 and struck him over the head with a lead pipe before fleeing.
The Mash Telegram channel published surveillance footage this week of the attack.
Lyaskin was taken to a hospital and diagnosed with skull injuries.
An "informed source" told Interfax that police have detained a 36-year-old Moscow resident with a criminal record who has also been under psychiatric observation.
Moscow police headquarters confirmed to Interfax that the man who had attacked Lyaskin had been brought to a police precinct but declined to provide his name.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.