Moscow State University student officially detained after repeated arrests and alleged torture

A district court in Moscow has ordered Moscow State University graduate student Azat Miftakhov to be held under guard until March 7 or later. Prosecutors said Miftakhov, who is suspected of anarchist activity, participated in a 2018 attack on the Moscow office of Russia’s ruling political party, United Russia.

Miftakhov, a student of mechanics and mathematics, was first arrested on February 1 after a raid on multiple Moscow residences. He was accused of planting an explosive device near a gas line, but the device was found to be fake, and Miftakhov claims it was planted. The young man was released briefly on February 7 but was arrested again on the same day in connection with the attack on United Russia. He and other young people with anarchist connections who were arrested earlier this month have told journalists that police have tortured them and threatened sexual violence.