The FSB is investigating Azat Myftakhov in the case of the “Moscow cell” of “Networks”

The Federal Security Service (FSB) opened a criminal case against the “Moscow cell” of the so-called terrorist community “Network” and conducted searches of the suspects. This is reported by TASS with reference to a source in law enforcement agencies.

The interlocutor of the agency said that some of those previously convicted in the “Seta” case were transferred to the Moscow pre-trial detention center “Lefortovo”. He asserts that they gave incriminating evidence.

According to the TASS source, FSB investigators are investigating the involvement of Moscow State University graduate student Azat Miftahov, who was sentenced to 5 years and 9 months in prison in the case of hooliganism, committed as a result of a preliminary conspiracy motivated by political hatred, to the “Moscow cell” of “Seta”. According to the investigation, in January 2018, a graduate student of Moscow State University and his like-minded supporters of anarchist views broke the window of the United Russia office in the Khovrino district of Moscow.

Miftakhov pleaded not guilty. He is due to be released in September 2023.

According to Myftakhov’s supporters, he is threatened with a new criminal case about the alleged “Moscow cell” based on the testimony of Igor Shishkin, convicted in the “Network” case. After his release from the colony, Shishkin left Russia and told about the torture he was subjected to during the investigation. At the same time, he reported that he had testified against some of the accused in the case, including Myftakhov.

In mid-February, human rights activist Ivan Astashin reported that another convict in the “Seta” case – Dmitry Pchelintsev, who was transferred from a colony in the Kirov region to the “Lefortovo” pre-trial detention center, testified against Myftakhov.

Astashin claims that Pchelintsev, through his lawyer Oksana Markeeva, advised Miftahov to plead guilty himself, since the case will still be fabricated, and the plea will help to get a shorter term in the new case.

Supporters of Azat Myftakhov claim that he knows what is happening and is morally ready for anything, he does not intend to testify and negotiate with the FSB.

• Azat Miftakhov, a graduate student of mechmat engineering at Moscow State University, was detained on February 1, 2019, on suspicion of illegal manufacture of explosives. According to him, he was demanded to testify under torture. Later, the members of the Public Monitoring Commission confirmed the fact of the use of violence against Miftahov.
• Hundreds of Russian and international scientists, mathematicians and public figures demanded an end to the persecution of Myftakhov, but the court sentenced him to six years in a general regime colony (later the term was reduced to 5 years and 9 months). At the same time, even according to the investigation, Myftakhov personally did not break the window in the office and did not throw a smoke grenade there, but was just nearby. The criminal case is based on the testimony of secret witnesses.
• In the colony, Myftakhov was put on preventive registration as prone to terrorism, drug use and assault on FSIN officers.