APD | Russia frees actor from jail after protests

By APD writer Easwaran

MOSCOW, Sept. 21 (APD) – Russia on Friday freed an actor from jail following protests in the country.

Authorities said that Pavel Ustinov, who was jailed for three and a half years after he was accused of wounding a police officer, was freed pending an appeal after prosecutors intervened.

Orthodox priests, and campaigns by teachers, actors and IT specialists led to his premature release from prison.

His appeal is due to be heard next week.

The Police had told court that an officer had dislocated his shoulder as the 23-year-old actor resisted arrest during an opposition protest.

However video footage showed Ustinov standing in the centre of Moscow looking at his phone, unaware that riot police from the Rosgvardia national guard were closing in on him.

Ustinov is seen being tackled to the ground and set upon by police with batons amid screams from bystanders.

The actor told the court he had nothing to do with the protest but was meeting a friend at the time. He denied resisting arrest and using violence against a police officer.

Prosecutors had originally sought six years in jail for Ustinov but changed tack amid mounting outrage about the case.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)