Prosecutors have sent to court a criminal case against 12 opposition activists allegedly involved in clashes with police at an opposition rally on Bolotnaya Ploshchad last May.
"A list of charges in the so-called Bolotnaya case against 12 people has been approved," the Prosecutor General's Office said in a statement late Wednesday.
According to investigators, the 12 suspects participated in "mass riots," assaulted police and damaged property. The total damage caused by the clashes has been estimated to stretch to more than 28 million rubles ($900,000), the statement said.
Around 30 people are facing criminal charges over the Bolotnaya Ploshchad violence. The inquiry into the remaining suspects is ongoing, and two have already been sentenced to jail terms.
The violence broke out on May 6 during an anti-Kremlin rally held on the eve of President Vladimir Putin's inauguration as president. At the rally, thousands took to the streets to protest what they saw as falsified elections to the State Duma and call for a new vote.
Over 400 protesters were detained at the sanctioned rally. Opposition activists maintain that the case against them is fabricated and that riot police provoked the clashes.
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.