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In Saratov Region, activities of an extremist community suppressed

The Saratov Regional Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee of Russia launched probes into 8 Saratov residents aged from 16 to 21. Actions of four young men are recognised as offenses under Part 1 of Article 282.1 of the Criminal Code of Russia (creation of an extremist community, that is, an organized group of persons for preparation or commission of crimes of extremist nature, as well as management of such extremist community). Actions of other four are recognised as an offense under Part 2 of Article 282.1 of the Criminal Code of Russia (participation in an extremist community).

According to investigation, in 2020 in Saratov the four young men supporting far-right (neo-Nazi, neo-nationalist) views, including two of them considering themselves adherents of the pro-Ukrainian movement "M.K.U.", created a stable group (an extremist community). The goal of their activity was the preparation and commission of illegal actions against an indefinite circle of persons (the use of violence in public places) based on political, ideological, racial, national and religious hatred and enmity, attitudes towards a particular social group. At the same time, the suspects carried out general leadership of the extremist community, looked for, including using the Internet, like-minded people who wanted to participate with them in the offenses.

After the criminal community was created, at least four persons participated in it at different times, united by a common intention to prepare and commit extremist offenses against an indefinite circle of persons.

The illegal activities of the suspects were detected by the Counter-Extremism Centre of the Saratov Regional Interior Ministry Department and Saratov Regional Directorate of the Federal Security Service of Russia.

Investigators of the Investigative Committee of Russia with force protection of the National Guard officers carried out searches at residence of the suspects. Electronic media (mobile phones, tablets, laptops), as well as clothing with typical attributes have been seized. 

The four suspects that have allegedly created the extremist community have been detained. Upon investigator's motion the court ruled to place three of them into custody and subject the fourth to house detention.

At present investigators are carrying out investigative actions and search activities aimed to establish all circumstances of the incident and consolidate evidence. The criminal investigation is ongoing.

Operative footage: https://youtu.be/oI3mboTRGW8