Russian cross-country skiing champion Nikolai Zimirev was arrested for 15 days for taking a photo of the white-blue-white flag on social networks. This was reported by Official website of the Sochi Central District Court.
39-year-old Zimirev posted on social networks a photo with a white-blue-white flag, “a symbol of an extremist organization banned on the territory of the Russian Federation.” This action was considered a crime under Part 1 of Art. 20.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation (propaganda or public display of Nazi equipment or symbols or equipment or symbols of extremist organizations).
The skier did not admit his guilt. Zimirev had previously reported on his social networks that he was arrested while laying flowers at the monument to victims of political repression. He was later released without a report being prepared.
Now Zimirev is engaged in coaching. The last tournament for him as an athlete was the 2019 Russian Championships in Monchegorsk (Murmansk region).
Previously reportedIt was learned that the court requested the arrest of former football player and blogger Savin in absentia.