A Moscow court ruled on Tuesday that a prominent Russian ultranationalist who accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of weakness and indecision in Ukraine should remain in jail on charges of extremism.
Igor Strelkov, a retired security official who led Moscow-backed eastern Ukraine separatists in 2014 and was convicted of murder in the Netherlands for his role in the downing of a Malaysia Airlines passenger plane that year, argued that a total mobilization for Russia was necessary. to achieve victory in Ukraine.
And he had previously criticized Putin, calling him a “non-entity” and a “cowardly mediocrity.”
The Moscow District Court ordered 52-year-old Strelkov, whose real name is Igor Girkin, to remain in custody until September 18.
Strelkov was arrested on July 21 and faces charges of inciting extremist activities, for which he could be sentenced to five years in prison.
His defense team had requested that he be placed under house arrest due to health problems.
Following the ruling, Strelkov’s wife, Miroslava Reginskaya, stated: “The court’s decision is unfair and we will appeal.”
Strelkov’s arrest has been interpreted as a sign that the Kremlin (seat of the Russian presidency) has hardened its attitude towards its fiercest critics after the failed revolt by the Wagner mercenary group, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, in June.
Strelkov was detained nearly a month after the brief Prigozhin-led mutiny in which mercenaries seized a military headquarters in the southern city of Rostov and headed for Moscow to demand the resignation of Russian military leaders, stopping only 200 kilometers away. from the city.
Prigozhin died on August 23, when the plane in which he was traveling crashed. US intelligence has said the plane was likely shot down and several Western leaders have suggested Putin was responsible.
The uprising posed the biggest threat to Putin’s power in 23 years, undermining his authority and exposing the fragility of his rule.
Like Prigozhin, Strelkov harshly criticized the Russian military leadership for their incompetence, but also condemned the leader of the Wagner group, calling his action treasonous and a great threat to the Russian state.
The two exchanged insults repeatedly, and Strelkov’s supporters indicated that one of Wagner’s mercenaries launched a criminal investigation into his statements.
Source: TSF
