The Tushinsky District Court in Moscow sentenced municipal candidate Daniil Neonov to 10 days of administrative arrest for displaying 'extremist' symbols, according to the outlet Ostorozhno, Novosti. The charge stemmed from a T-shirt with a rainbow print that Neonov wore while collecting signatures for his candidacy in the Shchukino district.
Police detained Neonov as he left his home, telling him that 'a certain State Duma deputy' had complained about his appearance during the signature drive, Ostorozhno, Novosti reported. At the police station, Neonov was beaten and choked, and initially denied access to a lawyer, the outlet said. Officers also demanded he unlock his phone, which he refused to do without relatives present.
Neonov is the 23rd politician barred from the upcoming municipal elections on charges of 'extremism,' according to Ostorozhno, Novosti. Earlier, Novaya Gazeta Europe reported at least 22 such cases.