Roizman, a popular political activist in Yekaterinburg, Russia’s fourth-largest city, said he was charged with using the word “invasion” under tough new laws banning criticism of Russia’s armed forces. He could face up to five years in prison if convicted, Russian state media reported. Video released by a pro-Kremlin news agency shows masked police in bulletproof vests storming the apartment building where Roizman lives. After an investigation, Roizman was led past reporters waiting in the stairwell. When asked where he had used the word “invasion”, he replied: “I say it everywhere.” Roizman has built a political base through his public profile and his blunt, often blunt criticism of the Russian authorities. He made weekly trips to Yekaterinburg, where locals could approach him for help, and established a museum of religious icons that was open to the public. He has also regularly engaged in trolling and insulting public officials on Twitter. He has been fined three times since the outbreak of war for his public statements. Repeated violations of the law may result in criminal prosecution. Roizman is rare among opposition figures for his success in electoral politics. He served as mayor of Yekaterinburg from 2013-18, after winning the popular election to the office. In a sign that his arrest may anger locals, a lawyer said Roizman could be transferred to Moscow by the end of the week. In an unusual statement, the district’s governor, who is a Kremlin loyalist, said Roizman deserved “justice and respect and I hope he gets it.” He also said he expected Roizman’s picture museum to remain open. Roizman’s arrest was widely expected among the opposition, as most anti-war activists have already been detained or expelled from the country. However, he refused to run away. Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Roizman previously said he kept a bag with a toothbrush, toothpaste and other essentials in case of an arrest. “Now I understand how anti-fascists felt during the Third Reich,” he told the Observer in an interview in March. “But I can’t leave, it’s unacceptable to do this.”
