Sergey Loshkarev

Sergey Loshkarev is an environmental activist, defender of the Red Spring grove in Novocherkassk. On 25 April 2014, he posted on Youtube an appeal to Right Sector leader Dmitry Yarosh urging him to call Novocherkassk mayor Vladimir Kirgintsev and forbid him to cut down the grove, "uglify ancient buildings, and embezzle people's money". Loshkarev was detained on 5 June on charges of disobeying a lawful demand of a police officer. He was then arrested for three days and a TT gun was found in his possession during a search. A case of illegal possession and carrying of weapons was opened. Loshkarev claims that the gun was planted on him when he was arrested: he had a traumatic weapon "Osa" in his bag before the arrest, but the TT was put there instead, and the traumatic gun was moved to the boot of Loshkarev's car. On 9 June, the court sent him under arrest as part of the criminal case. On 12 May 2015, Sergei Loshkarev was sentenced to two years in a penal colony. On 15 July he was released on amnesty.