Court uphelds arrest of participant in Bolotnaya Square case

The Moscow City Court on Wednesday upheld the placement in detention of civil activist Alexei Gaskarov accused of participation in mass disorder on Moscow’s Bolotnaya Square on May 6, 2012, Itar-Tass reports. The court’s board of appeals dismissed in its decision the appeal of Gaskarov’s defence, considering its arguments unsubstantiated, while custodial placement motivated and legitimate. Gaskarov took part in the trial of the appeal through a video link. He told the judges that prior to the arrest he had been engaged in public activity, had not fled before trial, and had untarnished reputation as he had been cleared of the previous accusation of an attack on the administration of Khimki. Gaskarov became the 28th participant in the Bolotnaya Square case. He is accused under two articles of the Russian Criminal Code: participation in mass disorders and use of force against public authorities. The oppositionist pleads not guilty.