Jailed Russian activist charged with 1997 robbery
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 21 November 2012 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Jailed Russian activist charged with 1997 robbery, 21 November 2012, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/50b4d0ef28.html [accessed 23 May 2013] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
November 21, 2012
Russian opposition activist Leonid Razvozzhayev
Russia's top investigative agency says it has charged opposition activist Leonid Razvozzhayev with an armed robbery that allegedly occurred 15 years ago.
A spokesman for the Russian Investigative Committee said on November 21 that Razvozzhayev led a 1997 robbery against a businessman in the Siberian city of Angarsk.
The activist is currently in a Moscow jail facing charges of organizing mass riots aimed at overthrowing the government.
Those charges are part of a wider investigation into opposition activists, sparked by allegations made against them in a recent documentary aired on state-controlled Russian television.
Razvozzhayev claims he was kidnapped in Ukraine, smuggled back to Russia, and tortured into falsely confessing to plotting antigovernment activities.
His case has raised serious concerns among human rights advocates.
Based on reporting by AP, Interfax, and ITAR-TASS
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
