Russian police detain hundreds of protesters from a banned movement committed to a new revolution

Moscow police detained 302 people on Sunday, November 5. According to the Interior Ministry, the individuals were in possession of cutting instruments, air guns, brass knuckles, masks, helmets, goggles, and aerosol cans containing flammable liquids.

Several of the detained people also carried the symbols of “Artpodgotovka,” a group founded by exiled Russian Vyacheslav Maltsev that has been banned in Russia. Police have charged most of the detainees with disobeying officers, violating laws on public assemblies, and disorderly conduct. Thirteen parents are also being charged for their children’s actions, and three foreign citizens stand accused of breaking the rules of their stays in Russia.

Throughout the country, police detained more than 400 Artpodgotovka protesters, including many minors. According to the website OVD-Info, some of the detainees were questioned about plans to commit terrorist attacks and stage riots.

Vyacheslav Maltsev was arrested in absentia after fleeing Russia in July 2017. He is charged with inciting extremism. In October 2017, Russia banned his political movement as an extremist organization. Since 2013, Maltsev repeated many times that Russia would experience a revolution on November 5, 2017, calling on his supporters to occupy city centers across the country and refused to disperse, until Vladimir Putin resigns the presidency.