Russian court arrests Kiev mayoral candidate in absentia

© RIA Novosti, Sergey Pyatakov

16:17 08/05/2014

MOSCOW, May 8 (RAPSI) – A Russian court has ordered the arrest of Ukrainian businessman and Kiev mayoral candidate Gennady Balashov in absentia, official spokesman for the Investigative Committee Vladimir Markin said Thursday.

Investigators believe that Balashov publicly called to kill Russian citizens in Ukraine and the territory of Crimea on March 10. On March 12, extremism charges were brought against him.

According to the Investigative Committee, businessman has been placed on an international wanted list.

Earlier, Russian investigators initiated a terrorism case against the leader of ultra-nationalist, far-right Ukrainian movement “Right Sector” Dmitry Yarosh.

Yarosh, who is considered to be one of the Maidan protest leaders, stands accused of publicly endorsing extremism and terrorism in connection with a public appeal he is suspected of having made to North Caucasus militant commander Doku Umarov. Specifically, Yarosh stands accused of asking for help with carrying out terror attacks on Russian soil.

On March 5, Moscow’s Basmanny District Court ordered Yarosh's arrest in absentia. Yarosh was placed on an international wanted list.

Ukraine underwent a regime change resembling a military coup on February 22. The country’s parliament ousted President Viktor Yanukovych, changed the constitution and scheduled an early presidential election for May 25.

Moscow and several regions in Ukraine have not acknowledged the legitimacy of the new authorities and have condemned its nationalistic policies threatening the Russian-speaking population of the country.