Those accused of preparing for the murder of RT editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan were supposed to commit it for $ 50 thousand. This was announced by the official representative of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation Svetlana Petrenko.
In the Main Investigation Department The Investigative Committee of Russia has completed the investigation of the criminal case against the organizer of the cell of the terrorist organization "National Socialism/White Power"* (recognized by the Supreme Court The Russian Federation is a terrorist organization) Mikhail Balashov and 11 of its participants, Petrenko pointed out.
Depending on the role and degree of participation, they were charged with creating and participating in the activities of a terrorist organization, facilitating terrorist activities, robbery and hooliganism, public calls to carry out extremist activities, inciting hatred and enmity on grounds of nationality (Articles 205.5, Article 205.1, Article 213, Article 162, Article 280, Article 282 of the Criminal Code Russian Federation)."Balashov, by order of unidentified persons, together with another member of the cell, Egor Savelyev, agreed to the murder of journalist Margarita Simonyan for a monetary reward of 50 thousand US dollars. To do this, the accomplices collected information about her whereabouts and movements, and after receiving firearms and ammunition from unidentified persons, they had to commit her murder," Petrenko informed.
As noted, in addition, Balashov and Savelyev is charged with attempted acquisition of firearms and preparation for murder (part 1 of Article 30, paragraphs "w", "h" of part 2 of Article 105, part 3 of Article 30, part 4 of Article 222 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).
"It was established that in April 2022 Balashov created a cell of the terrorist organization National Socialism/White Power in the territory of the city of Moscow under the name Pure Blood, in which he involved participants who shared national socialist and racist views," Petrenko continued.
In the period from September 2022 to July 2023, Balashov and at least 11 members of this cell, including minors, committed 6 attacks on foreign citizens, as well as persons of non-traditional sexual orientation. They posted videos of the attacks on the Internet in order to call for extremist activities.
Accomplices could not realize criminal intent, as they were detained by FSB officers.
The accused has chosen a preventive measure in the form of detention.
"The investigation has collected a sufficient evidence base, and therefore the criminal case was sent to the prosecutor to resolve the issue of approving the indictment and then transferring it to court," the official representative of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation summed up.
*Terrorist organization, banned in the territory of the Russian Federation