Pussy Riot have shared via their Twitter that two members of their group have been arrested as they drove to Moscow. Pussy Riot’s Veronika Nikulshina and a friend were detained by police and “anti-extremism agents”.
Not long after their arrests, Pussy Riot tweeted that Moscow police claimed “that Nika and her friend were refusing to agree to a ‘terrorist check’ of their car – and they had to be arrested.”
Peter Verzilov, an artist, activist, and member of the Pussy Riot collective, was also brought arrested by police, Pussy Riot’s representative told Pitchfork. Verzilov was arrested after leaving his home, though it is unconfirmed whether or not he will be kept overnight.
Pussy Riot’s Nadya Tolokonnikova said in a statement: “Nika is charged with 19.3 article, the same one as they got after the world cup. but this time she was in the car driving with her friend. they stopped her and arrested.”
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Our activist Nika says hi to everyone from behind bars of a Moscow police station – she will be spending the night here until a court hearing tomorrow. The girls have been arrested in their car for absolutely NOTHING. Moscow police is still mad after the World Cup action. pic.twitter.com/hssR6JI3d2
— 𝖕𝖚𝖘𝖘𝖞 𝖗𝖎𝖔𝖙 (@pussyrrriot) September 9, 2018
Nika Nikulshina from Pussy Riot has just been detained by police and "anti-extremism agents" in Moscow with a friend. Free Nika and everyone else detained during today's big protest day in Russia! pic.twitter.com/ZiJ3v8BqqE
— 𝖕𝖚𝖘𝖘𝖞 𝖗𝖎𝖔𝖙 (@pussyrrriot) September 9, 2018
Moscow police is now claiming that Nika and her friend were refusing to agree to a “terrorist check” of their car – and they had to be arrested. Crazy accusations!
— 𝖕𝖚𝖘𝖘𝖞 𝖗𝖎𝖔𝖙 (@pussyrrriot) September 9, 2018