A lawyer was arrested because people came to support them at a court hearing on municipal reform.

A lawyer was arrested because people came to support him at a court hearing about municipal reform. This was reported by 7×7, citing the court’s press service.

Dmitry Todoshev, a lawyer from Altai, was sentenced to eight days’ administrative arrest under the “rally” article (Article 20.2 of the Code of Administrative Offences). Authorities decided that he had gathered local residents at the court during the challenge to the municipal reform law. The lawyer lost the case.

Previously, Todoshev had been given a 12-day arrest under the article on disobeying police (Article 19.3 of the Code of Administrative Offences). According to the official account, he refused to get into a police car for an alcohol test. Police officers forced the lawyer into the vehicle.

• In 2024, Andrei Turchak became head of the Altai Republic (southern Siberia) following a proposal from Putin. The politician had previously put pressure on independent journalists and deputies. Turchak is also pushing for the municipal reform, which limits the autonomy and self-governance of the republic. Residents of Altai oppose the amendments.