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In Altai, there have been searches at the homes of activists, reported the Telegram channel “Voice of Altai.”

Around seven in the morning local time, security forces came to activist Aruna Arna. “Security forces burst in early in the morning to a mother of many children, with a baby in her arms, broke down the door! Why such cruelty?! Is this an act of intimidation or revenge for her active civic stance and love for her homeland?” the post read.

Later, the channel published that searches were carried out at the homes of several other activists, including Arna’s mother. From all the addresses, people were taken for questioning to the Investigative Committee in Gorno-Altaysk, the capital of the Altai Republic in southern Siberia.

According to OVD-Info subscribers, among those detained is also activist Olga Rastorgueva. At the time of the search at Arna’s home, her mother and children were present, one of whom is a baby. The children remained at home alone.

It is unknown under which article the searches were carried out. On 17 September, there were searches of supporters of Lada-Rus in Bashkortostan, including Gulnara Khusniyarova, who had previously defended Arna in court.

At the end of August, Arna was included on the list of terrorists and extremists. In 2023, protocols were drawn up against her for “discrediting the Russian army” (Article 20.3.3 of the Code of Administrative Offences) over posts about mobilisation, and she was also fined 30,000 rubles (US$325) for a video appeal demanding not to amend the regional Constitution (Part 9, Article 13.15 of the Code of Administrative Offences).

In November that same year, a pregnant Arna was subject to a search at her home which lasted 10 hours. Last year, Arna was fined 180,000 rubles (US$1,950) under the article on dissemination of false information (Article 13.15 of the Code of Administrative Offences), because of a post promoting a live stream on the opposition YouTube channel “Razoblacheno” about ballot stuffing during the presidential elections. In July, a protocol was drawn up against her for repeated dissemination of knowingly false information of public significance (Part 10, Article 13.15 of the Code of Administrative Offences) because of reposts about amendments to the regional Constitution.

“Gref, Babaev and other oligarchs don’t like me. I don’t let them squander the people’s wealth. I defend my native land of Altai. I engage in civic, journalistic, and human rights work. I bring people together for justice and happiness,” reads the description of Arna’s channel “Aruna Arna. People’s Leader of Altai.”

10:19 Aruna Arna has been detained for two days, reports the “Razoblacheno” channel, citing the activist’s husband.

“What are the grounds, what are the charges, why two days? We still don’t understand. We assume that two days is the maximum period of detention that can be chosen by the investigator without a court petition for remand,” the message reads.

12:55 A case may have been opened against Aruna Arna for incitement to terrorism (Part 2, Art. 205.2 of the Criminal Code), suggested the publication “News of Gorno-Altaysk.”

The local Investigative Committee reported that a case had been opened, without naming the individual involved, but specifying that proceedings were launched because of a video on a Telegram channel. This was also confirmed by a friend of Arna’s, who is a witness in the case.

Earlier, Arna’s mother published a video appeal giving details of the search, clarifying that security forces took away all the equipment and money from the house, leaving nothing for the children.

According to SOTAvision, Arna was scheduled to fly to Moscow this morning to deliver thousands of signatures calling for the resignation of Governor Turchak.

25 September The Gorno-Altaysk city court, in the Altai Republic, selected a restraining order as a preventative measure for Aruna Arna, reports the Telegram channel “Razoblacheno.”

The activist is now forbidden from visiting railway stations and airports, taking part in rallies and other public events, using the Internet and telephone, and running social media accounts.

An error has been corrected in this article: Aruna Arna was detained for two days, not arrested.

  • In April, amendments were made to the Constitution of the Altai Republic. Their stated purpose, according to Andrey Turchak, was to bring the regional governance system into line with federal legislation. The change that provoked the most protest among locals was to Article 10 of the regional Constitution: the phrase “The territory of the republic is part of the territory of the Russian Federation, it is indivisible and inalienable” was replaced by “The territory of the Altai Republic is united and indivisible.” Opponents of the amendments fear that this could pave the way for the merger of Gorno-Altai with Altai Krai or the creation of territories within the republic not under regional control.