An engineer from the TV channel Match TV has been sent to a pre-trial detention centre in connection with a case over a donation to Artpodgotovka.

The Ostankinsky District Court in Moscow has sent Sergei Pimenov, a 59-year-old engineer with the “Match TV” channel, to pre-trial detention. He stands accused of donating to the “Artpodgotovka” group and is charged under the article on aiding terrorism (part 1.1, article 205.1 of the Russian Criminal Code). This was reported by the “Ostorozhno, novosti” channel with reference to a court ruling from 24 September.

After being detained, Pimenov wrote a confession and described the donation to Vyacheslav Maltsev as “a human mistake.” According to investigators, the Moscow resident made the transfer using the “YooMoney” service.

Pimenov himself also stressed that “at the time of the transfer, he did not know who Maltsev was.” The engineer’s lawyer emphasised in court that their client had “repeatedly made donations in support of the ‘special military operation.’”

In court, Sergei Pimenov asked to be placed under house arrest, saying that he is “a law-abiding citizen, who pays taxes and has worked for a long time in a team where he is held in well-deserved esteem.”

• On 5 November 2017, supporters of Vyacheslav Maltsev, host of the popular YouTube channel “Artpodgotovka,” took to the streets in several cities across Russia. The activist had promised that a revolution would take place that day. As a result, according to OVD-Info, criminal cases were opened in 10 cities against at least 35 people, including on terrorism-related charges.