Russian court jails suspect accused of taking hostages at Moscow bank

Moscow’s Khamovnichesky District Court has jailed 34-year-old Alexey Baryshnikov, in connection with a hostage-taking at a Moscow bank on May 23.

Baryshnikov stands accused of taking several people hostage at the Zemlyanoy Val Alfa-Bank branch in Moscow, by threatening to denote an explosive. The bank’s employees later managed to get out of the building, leaving just one customer held hostage inside. Law enforcement stormed the building, releasing the hostage and arresting Baryshnikov. No explosive devices were found on the premises and no one was injured.

Following his arrest, Baryshnikov pleaded guilty. When asked why he came to the bank, he said, “To find out the truth, I am interested in the truth. What is happening with me.” According to preliminary data, Baryshnikov took the hostages because of loan debts. Interfax reported that he showed “visible signs of mental illness.”

In another interview, Baryshnikov said that during the hostage-taking, he expected the police to fulfill his demands or kill him. He claims that his main demand was to meet media personality Olga Buzova, who he is “in love” with.