Nikolay Bondarenko, a State Duma candidate representing the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF), was detained in Saratov. The reason for his detention remains unknown. Bondarenko is a former member of the Saratov Oblast Duma and runs the YouTube channel Deputy's Journal. He recently spoke out against Yabloko's removal from the election, calling it an attempt to reduce voter turnout. A few days ago, the politician said that United Russia was spreading false information claiming that he had given an interview to Polish journalists in which he criticized Russian policies and the results of the 2014 referendum in Crimea.
In the State Duma election, Bondarenko heads the CPRF's regional group No. 16, which covers Udmurtia and Perm Krai. He is not running in Saratov Oblast. In 2022, he was stripped of his seat in the regional Duma following a review by the prosecutor's office. The agency said that he had failed to declare loans and part of his YouTube income.
UPD. Bondarenko told Vedomosti that 10 police officers had detained him and taken him to court. He is accused of “propaganda or public display of Nazi symbols or attributes, or symbols of extremist organizations” (Article 20.3 of Russia's Code of Administrative Offenses).
UPD. The prosecution is seeking to have Bondarenko removed from the election.
