Russian contemporary artist detained by Novosibirsk police
Contemporary artist, cameraman, antifascist, political and cultural
activist Artem Loskutov was arrested on May 15 by security forces in
Novosibirsk, and is now being held at a police station awaiting trial.
He has been charged with drug possession and “organizing a criminal
group for mass disturbances, vandalism of shops and offices, arson and
the defacement of private property”.
Contemporary artist, cameraman, antifascist, political and cultural
activist Artem Loskutov was arrested on May 15 by security forces in
Novosibirsk, and is now being held at a police station awaiting trial.
He has been charged with drug possession and “organizing a criminal
group for mass disturbances, vandalism of shops and offices, arson and
the defacement of private property”.
In the morning of the same day, one of the heads of Novosibirsk’s
anti-extremist militia task force called Loskutov and invited to stop
by for a conversation. Artem declined this invitation because he was
busy with preparations for his diploma project at the university, and
asked for an official notice to be called in for questioning. The
police officer answered that Artem was being impudent and said, “I
will send will send a car with a dog to find you. We will drive to
your workplace.” But they did not.
In the evening of the same day, Artem was surrounded by three
plainclothesmen and handcuffed. They told him that he was being
charged with a criminal act, but did not tell him which one, nor did
they show any official documents or police badges. After that, they
drove into the nearest courtyard and ransacked Artems bag. Here, they
“found” a package with a green substance and took Artem to the local
militia. According to Artem’s lawyer Valentin Demidenko, Artem
maintains that he was not in possession of any illegal substances and
the case is being fabricated. In addition to the drug charge, Artem is
being charged with political extremism and conspiracy to create public
unrest.
Artem Loskoutov is well known in Novosibirsk as one of the leaders of
the underground art-scene. Since 2004, he has developed a number of
performances, known to international artistic community. He is also
the founder and leader of the contemporary art group “Babyshka posle
pokhoron” (www.kissmybabushka.com) and has made several films. To a
broader public, Artem is primarily known as leader of Monstration, a
street performance unique to the Russian situation. This week, he is
to defend his diploma thesis at university, but will not be to do it,
as he is still being detained. He has never been implicated or
involved in any “extremist” actions, although his art practice could
be considered subversive. In the history of the Novosibirsk art scene,
this case is completely unprecedented.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 20th at the Dzerzhinsky
court of Novosibirsk (Promyshlennaya str., 1), 12:00 local time (9:00
AM Moscow time). Its phones are: (007) 383 232-14-14, (007) 383 232-14-14,
Lubov Belyatskaya, who witnessed Artem’ capture, is coordinating
efforts to help him. Her phone: (007) 913-370-78-60