Press release, July 22, 2013

On Saturday night, Nikolai Kuznetsov, leader of the Stupino branch of YABLOKO and activist of the head-quarters of YABLOKO’s candidate to the post of the Governor of the Moscow region, was severely beaten in Odintsovo, the Moscow region. Doctors stated that he had a concussion, multiple bruises and a dislocation of a shoulder.

According to Kuznetsov, he was attacked by three unidentified men when he was returning from his work late. One of the attackers kicked Kuznetsov’s iPad out of his hands, then all three of them started severely beating him throwing punches and kicks. After a while Kuznetsov lost consciousness and regained consciousness only in hospital. Doctors registered that he had bruises, a dislocation of a shoulder and a concussion. At present Kuznetsov is at home on a bed regime.

“It was unmotivated aggression of three monsters whom my friend and I met in the street in Odintsovo. We were lucky that a police station was near by and policemen immediately came after my friend called them,” Kuznetsov wrote in the social networks.

It is known that the attackers were arrested and their identities were established. A criminal case may be filed against them.

YABLOKO will monitor the investigation into the attack, said party leader Sergei Mitrokhin. “The police preoccupied by persecution of the opposition are unable to perform its direct functions in protection of citizens from hooligans. It is unacceptable that well-known politicians are severely beaten, this creates an atmosphere of complete insecurity for ordinary citizens,” Mitrokhin noted.