Russian opposition activist placed in custody on charges linked to online comment
Russian opposition activist placed in custody on charges linked to online comment
Sergei Udaltsov, Russian left-wing political activist stands in a cage in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. Sergei Udaltsov, a Russian pro-war activist and critic of President Vladimir Putin, was remanded into custody Thursday over alleged terrorism offenses, his lawyer told the Russian state news agency Tass. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, Russian left-wing political activist stands in a cage in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. Sergei Udaltsov, a Russian pro-war activist and critic of President Vladimir Putin, was remanded into custody Thursday over alleged terrorism offenses, his lawyer told the Russian state news agency Tass. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, Russian left-wing political activist stands in a cage in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. Sergei Udaltsov, a Russian pro-war activist and critic of President Vladimir Putin, was remanded into custody Thursday over alleged terrorism offenses, his lawyer told the Russian state news agency Tass. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, Russian left-wing political activist sits behind a glass in a cage in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. Sergei Udaltsov, a Russian pro-war activist and critic of President Vladimir Putin, was remanded into custody Thursday over alleged terrorism offenses, his lawyer told the Russian state news agency Tass. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, Russian left-wing political activist stands behind a glass in a cage in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. Sergei Udaltsov, a Russian pro-war activist and critic of President Vladimir Putin, was remanded into custody Thursday over alleged terrorism offenses, his lawyer told the Russian state news agency Tass. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, Russian left-wing political activist is seen on a phone’s screen as he stands behind a glass in a cage in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. Sergei Udaltsov, a Russian pro-war activist and critic of President Vladimir Putin, was remanded into custody Thursday over alleged terrorism offenses, his lawyer told the Russian state news agency Tass. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, Russian left-wing political activist, left, sits behind a glass in a cage in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. A Russian state news agency says a Russian court has ordered that a pro-war activist and critic of President Vladimir Putin be remanded into custody until Feb. 15. That’s when Sergei Udaltsov will stand trial for charges of “justifying terrorism.” (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, activista político ruso de izquierda, está en la jaula de un tribunal en Moscú, Rusia, viernes 12 de enero de 2024. Sergei Udaltsov, activista probélico ruso y crítico del presidente Vladímir Putin, quedó en prisión preventiva el jueves por presuntos delitos de terrorismo, dijo su abogado a la agencia noticiosa estatal Tass. (AP Foto/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, Russian left-wing political activist, gestures standing behind a glass in a cage in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. A Russian state news agency says a Russian court has ordered that a pro-war activist and critic of President Vladimir Putin be remanded into custody until Feb. 15. That’s when Sergei Udaltsov will stand trial for charges of “justifying terrorism.” (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, Russian left-wing political activist stands behind a glass in a cage in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. Sergei Udaltsov, a Russian pro-war activist and critic of President Vladimir Putin, was remanded into custody Thursday over alleged terrorism offenses, his lawyer told the Russian state news agency Tass. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, Russian left-wing political activist, addresses journalists standing behind a glass in a cage in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. A Russian state news agency says a Russian court has ordered that a pro-war activist and critic of President Vladimir Putin be remanded into custody until Feb. 15. That’s when Sergei Udaltsov will stand trial for charges of “justifying terrorism.” (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, Russian left-wing political activist, left, looks at journalists sitting behind a glass in a cage in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. A Russian state news agency says a Russian court has ordered that a pro-war activist and critic of President Vladimir Putin be remanded into custody until Feb. 15. That’s when Sergei Udaltsov will stand trial for charges of “justifying terrorism.” (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, Russian left-wing political activist stands in a cage in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. Sergei Udaltsov, a Russian pro-war activist and critic of President Vladimir Putin, was remanded into custody Thursday over alleged terrorism offenses, his lawyer told the Russian state news agency Tass. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, Russian left-wing political activist stands in a cage in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. Sergei Udaltsov, a Russian pro-war activist and critic of President Vladimir Putin, was remanded into custody Thursday over alleged terrorism offenses, his lawyer told the Russian state news agency Tass. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, Russian left-wing political activist stands in a cage in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. Sergei Udaltsov, a Russian pro-war activist and critic of President Vladimir Putin, was remanded into custody Thursday over alleged terrorism offenses, his lawyer told the Russian state news agency Tass. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, Russian left-wing political activist stands in a cage in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. Sergei Udaltsov, a Russian pro-war activist and critic of President Vladimir Putin, was remanded into custody Thursday over alleged terrorism offenses, his lawyer told the Russian state news agency Tass. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, Russian left-wing political activist stands in a cage in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. Sergei Udaltsov, a Russian pro-war activist and critic of President Vladimir Putin, was remanded into custody Thursday over alleged terrorism offenses, his lawyer told the Russian state news agency Tass. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, Russian left-wing political activist stands in a cage in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. Sergei Udaltsov, a Russian pro-war activist and critic of President Vladimir Putin, was remanded into custody Thursday over alleged terrorism offenses, his lawyer told the Russian state news agency Tass. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, Russian left-wing political activist sits behind a glass in a cage in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. Sergei Udaltsov, a Russian pro-war activist and critic of President Vladimir Putin, was remanded into custody Thursday over alleged terrorism offenses, his lawyer told the Russian state news agency Tass. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, Russian left-wing political activist sits behind a glass in a cage in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. Sergei Udaltsov, a Russian pro-war activist and critic of President Vladimir Putin, was remanded into custody Thursday over alleged terrorism offenses, his lawyer told the Russian state news agency Tass. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, Russian left-wing political activist stands behind a glass in a cage in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. Sergei Udaltsov, a Russian pro-war activist and critic of President Vladimir Putin, was remanded into custody Thursday over alleged terrorism offenses, his lawyer told the Russian state news agency Tass. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, Russian left-wing political activist stands behind a glass in a cage in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. Sergei Udaltsov, a Russian pro-war activist and critic of President Vladimir Putin, was remanded into custody Thursday over alleged terrorism offenses, his lawyer told the Russian state news agency Tass. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, Russian left-wing political activist is seen on a phone’s screen as he stands behind a glass in a cage in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. Sergei Udaltsov, a Russian pro-war activist and critic of President Vladimir Putin, was remanded into custody Thursday over alleged terrorism offenses, his lawyer told the Russian state news agency Tass. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, Russian left-wing political activist is seen on a phone’s screen as he stands behind a glass in a cage in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. Sergei Udaltsov, a Russian pro-war activist and critic of President Vladimir Putin, was remanded into custody Thursday over alleged terrorism offenses, his lawyer told the Russian state news agency Tass. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, Russian left-wing political activist, left, sits behind a glass in a cage in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. A Russian state news agency says a Russian court has ordered that a pro-war activist and critic of President Vladimir Putin be remanded into custody until Feb. 15. That’s when Sergei Udaltsov will stand trial for charges of “justifying terrorism.” (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, Russian left-wing political activist, left, sits behind a glass in a cage in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. A Russian state news agency says a Russian court has ordered that a pro-war activist and critic of President Vladimir Putin be remanded into custody until Feb. 15. That’s when Sergei Udaltsov will stand trial for charges of “justifying terrorism.” (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, activista político ruso de izquierda, está en la jaula de un tribunal en Moscú, Rusia, viernes 12 de enero de 2024. Sergei Udaltsov, activista probélico ruso y crítico del presidente Vladímir Putin, quedó en prisión preventiva el jueves por presuntos delitos de terrorismo, dijo su abogado a la agencia noticiosa estatal Tass. (AP Foto/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, activista político ruso de izquierda, está en la jaula de un tribunal en Moscú, Rusia, viernes 12 de enero de 2024. Sergei Udaltsov, activista probélico ruso y crítico del presidente Vladímir Putin, quedó en prisión preventiva el jueves por presuntos delitos de terrorismo, dijo su abogado a la agencia noticiosa estatal Tass. (AP Foto/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, Russian left-wing political activist, gestures standing behind a glass in a cage in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. A Russian state news agency says a Russian court has ordered that a pro-war activist and critic of President Vladimir Putin be remanded into custody until Feb. 15. That’s when Sergei Udaltsov will stand trial for charges of “justifying terrorism.” (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, Russian left-wing political activist, gestures standing behind a glass in a cage in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. A Russian state news agency says a Russian court has ordered that a pro-war activist and critic of President Vladimir Putin be remanded into custody until Feb. 15. That’s when Sergei Udaltsov will stand trial for charges of “justifying terrorism.” (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, Russian left-wing political activist stands behind a glass in a cage in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. Sergei Udaltsov, a Russian pro-war activist and critic of President Vladimir Putin, was remanded into custody Thursday over alleged terrorism offenses, his lawyer told the Russian state news agency Tass. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, Russian left-wing political activist stands behind a glass in a cage in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. Sergei Udaltsov, a Russian pro-war activist and critic of President Vladimir Putin, was remanded into custody Thursday over alleged terrorism offenses, his lawyer told the Russian state news agency Tass. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, Russian left-wing political activist, addresses journalists standing behind a glass in a cage in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. A Russian state news agency says a Russian court has ordered that a pro-war activist and critic of President Vladimir Putin be remanded into custody until Feb. 15. That’s when Sergei Udaltsov will stand trial for charges of “justifying terrorism.” (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, Russian left-wing political activist, addresses journalists standing behind a glass in a cage in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. A Russian state news agency says a Russian court has ordered that a pro-war activist and critic of President Vladimir Putin be remanded into custody until Feb. 15. That’s when Sergei Udaltsov will stand trial for charges of “justifying terrorism.” (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, Russian left-wing political activist, left, looks at journalists sitting behind a glass in a cage in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. A Russian state news agency says a Russian court has ordered that a pro-war activist and critic of President Vladimir Putin be remanded into custody until Feb. 15. That’s when Sergei Udaltsov will stand trial for charges of “justifying terrorism.” (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sergei Udaltsov, Russian left-wing political activist, left, looks at journalists sitting behind a glass in a cage in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. A Russian state news agency says a Russian court has ordered that a pro-war activist and critic of President Vladimir Putin be remanded into custody until Feb. 15. That’s when Sergei Udaltsov will stand trial for charges of “justifying terrorism.” (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
A Russian left-wing opposition activist who criticized the Kremlin but backed the war in Ukraine was ordered Friday to remain in custody pending his trial on charges linked to his online comment.
Moscow’s Basmanny District Court ruled to keep Sergei Udaltsov in custody until Feb. 15 on charges of “justifying terrorism” as the probe is continuing. Udaltsov said the accusations relate to his posts in support of members of a Marxist group who were arrested for creating a “terrorist community” in the city of Ufa, about 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) east of Moscow. He could face five years in prison if convicted.
Speaking during Friday’s hearing, Udaltsov rejected the charges as “ravings” before the judge closed the hearings to the public at the request of prosecutors who argued the case materials were sensitive, according to the state Tass and RIA-Novosti news agencies.
Udaltsov, the leader of the Left Front, has been critical of Russian President Vladimir Putin but supported Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
He participated in the 2011-12 protests that saw the biggest demonstrations in Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union, joining other opposition activists, including now-imprisoned opposition politician Alexei Navalny.
While multiple activists, lawyers and opposition figures have been detained and jailed in Russia since the invasion of Ukraine, Udaltsov stands out as he has supported the war and the annexation of Crimea, while remaining critical of Putin.
Udaltsov was detained on Thursday after police searched his home and confiscated his electronic devices.
In December, a Moscow court sentenced Udaltsov to 40 hours of compulsory labor for violating procedures relating to organizing a rally after he was detained on Red Square, where he tried to unfurl a flag with the image of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin, Tass said.
Udaltsov was previously imprisoned in 2014 and sentenced to 4½ years on charges related to his role in organizing a 2012 demonstration against Putin that turned violent. He protested his sentence by going on a hunger strike before being released in 2017.
