MOSCOW, February 9 (RIA Novosti) – Moscow's Basmanny court has sanctioned the house arrest of Sergei Udaltsov upon a request by investigators who suspect the Left Front leader of plotting new mass disorder.
Judge Artur Karpov said Udaltsov will be under house arrest in his apartment in southeast Moscow until at least April 6. He has been prohibited from talking with anybody, except for lawyers, relatives and investigators, and also from using the Internet.
According to investigator Rustam Gabdullin, the opposition activist has given testimony confirming his role in attempting to organize mass disorder. Explaining the reason for the request to place Udaltsov under house arrest, Gabdullin said while at liberty the activist can go ahead with his plans.
Udaltsov, who rose to prominence during the mass demonstrations against alleged vote fraud, is currently charged in a separate case with plotting mass disorder and faces up to ten years behind bars if convicted. He is currently at liberty under a pledge not to leave Moscow.
Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin said on Friday the reason behind the request was the activist's repeated defiance of restriction notice's conditions.
The opposition activist is often unavailable at his home and keeps his cell phones offline, rendering the investigators unable to call him in for further question. Investigators also said Udaltsov participated in several protest rallies and traveled to other cities despite his pledge not to leave Moscow.
Meanwhile, Udaltsov has dismissed all the accusations, saying he spends nights at home, always answers the phone and even calls investigators himself if he misses their calls.
“Even when I get up in the morning, I check if anyone from the Investigative Committee has called,” Udaltsov told the court on Saturday.
