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Pussy Riot founder detained in Moscow, says he was questioned over massive unrest last summer in Moscow Confusion reigns after Pussy Riot co-founder detained in Moscow - Pyotr Verzilov says he was questioned over 2019 protests
(about 1 hour later)
Pyotr Verzilov, a controversial Russian shock artist and founder of ‘punk band’ Pussy Riot, says police have questioned him over last year’s Moscow protests. Pyotr Verzilov, a controversial Russian shock artist and co-founder of ‘punk’ art collectives Pussy Riot and Voina along with ex-wife Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, says police have questioned him over last year’s Moscow protests.
The activist was detained at a rented apartment in Russia’s capital on Sunday. Between two and 10 people forced their way into the apartment and Verzilov “disappeared” afterwards, according to MediaZona – an outlet founded by the artist himself – which cited eyewitnesses. Footage circulating online shows the door of the flat badly damaged in the aftermath of the incident. The activist was detained at a rented apartment in the Russian capital on Sunday. Between two and 10 people forced their way into the flat and Verzilov “disappeared” afterwards, according to MediaZona – an alternative media outlet created as a spin off from Pussy Riot – which cited eyewitnesses. Footage circulating online shows the door of the flat badly damaged in the aftermath of the incident.
Later the same day, Verzilov himself contacted his media outlet and said that he was questioned over his alleged role in organizing massive unrest and using violence against a law enforcement officer last summer. Later the same day, Verzilov himself told MediaZona that he was questioned over allegedly using violence against a law enforcement officer last summer, amid unrest.
But human rights advocate Marina Litvinovich told media a few hours later that Verzilov was questioned about the last summer's unrest as a witness and not as a suspect. She also said that the shock artist was eventually detained after he already left the police station following the questioning. The man was put into custody after he was swearing in public and picked up a fight with another person. Verzilov himself earlier told Mediazone he was "attacked" by someone he derscribed as "provocateur." But human rights advocate Marina Litvinovich told reporters a few hours later that Verzilov was interrogated about the matter as a witness and not as a suspect. She added that the activist was eventually detained after he had already left the police station following initial questioning.
Verzilov is best known as the founder of the so-called ‘punk band’ Pussy Riot, as well as a member of ‘art group’ Voina (The War). The groups have been staging assorted politically motivated – and sometimes sexually explicit – stunts, repeatedly violating Russian law. Verzilov was taken into custody after he was allegedly seen swearing in public and involved in a fight with another individual. He told Mediazona he was "attacked" by someone he described as "provocateur."
The activist was also in the media spotlight in late 2018, when he mysteriously fell sick in Moscow. His relatives, as well as fellow activists, were quick to blame the Russian government for “poisoning” him. No actual evidence has emerged since then to support the claim. Verzilov is best known for his involvement with the self-styled ‘punk band’ Pussy Riot and the ‘art collective’ Voina (The War). The groups are known for staging assorted politically motivated – and sometimes sexually explicit – stunts, repeatedly incurring the wrath of Russian authorities. 
Now, Mediazone reported, citing the man himself, that he is suspected of organizing a standoff with police on July 27, 2019. At that time, crowds took to the city center to voice their anger over several dozen candidates being disqualified from taking part in a city council election after the authorities found some irregularities in the documents they were required to present. Several rallies spiraled into scuffles between the demonstrators and the police, resulting in thousands of arrests. The activist was notably in media spotlight in late 2018, when he was apparently was taken ill in Moscow. His associates, and some American and British press correspondents, were quick to point the finger at the Russian government for “poisoning” him. However, no actual evidence has ever emerged to support the claim.
The opposition then accused the Moscow authorities and law enforcement of quelling the protests through police brutality. Assuming Verzilov's comments to MediaZona are accurate, he's now the subject of an investigation over events in Moscow in the summer of 2019. Back then, large crowds of opposition supporters took to the streets to voice their anger over several dozen candidates being disqualified from taking part in a city council election.
Verzilov’s arrest also sparked a flurry of speculation on social media and some Russian news outlets as some reports initially suggested he had been detained by the police anti-extremism division, while others suggested he was mulling a stunt to disturb rehearsals for the Victory Day parade. MediaZona and several other pro-opposition outlets initially described the whole affair as a “kidnapping” of the activist. Some, but by no means all, of the rallies were unauthorised and featured violent scenes involving police and protestors. Organisers accused Moscow police of quelling the protests using heavy handed means. 
Verzilov’s arrest sparked a flurry of speculation on social media, and in some Russian news outlets, where reporting accuracy was rather tenuous. 
There were initial suggestions that he had been detained by the police anti-extremism division. MediaZona and several other pro-opposition outlets initially described the incident as a “kidnapping” of the activist.
Britain's state broadcaster BBC raised plenty of eyebrows when it announced that Verzilov had planned to stand in front of a tank during a rehearsal for this week's re-scheduled 'Victory Day parade' in Moscow. The outlet - which has received tens of millions of pounds from the London government to bulk up its coverage of Russia - told its readers that Verzilov was hoping to emulate the iconic Tiananmen Square 'tank man' photo from 1989.
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