In Chelyabinsk, an advocate of Maoism was detained over a banner protesting the blocking of Telegram.

In Chelyabinsk, security forces came to the home of a supporter of Maoism over a banner protesting the blocking of the messenger app. A friend of hers, who is also a Maoist supporter, told OVD-Info about the incident.

Early in the morning of 29 March in Chelyabinsk, a banner was spotted reading: “Maoists: Russians need communication! No to the blocking of Telegram.”

At around 6:45am today, security forces came to the young woman’s home and then took her to the police station. According to her friend, she was issued a protocol for holding an unauthorised protest (Article 20.2 of the Administrative Code).

After this, the detainee was taken to the Kurchatovsky District Court.

At around 10am, security forces also visited the friend of the young woman who had contacted OVD-Info. They threatened to file a protocol against him for disobeying the police (Article 19.3 of the Administrative Code) if he did not open the door, but in the end they left. Security forces also visited his mother’s workplace and demanded that she “influence” her son. In addition, the police passed on a message through the detained young woman that he faces arrest.

14:51 The detainee was sentenced to ten days’ arrest, her acquaintance told OVD-Info.

She clarified that the young woman was accused of organising an unauthorised protest (Part 2 of Article 20.2 of the Administrative Code).