Russian security services have arrested a 19-year-old political activist suspected of involvement in sabotaging railway lines, Oleg Filachev, the leader of a group called the Russian Citizens’ Alliance, told the Moscow Times on Wednesday. .
Nikita Klunya, also a member of the Russian Citizens’ Alliance, was reportedly detained in the Russian town of Sortavala, near the Finnish border.
Filatchev said he learned of Klunya’s detention on terrorism charges during a 2 a.m. phone call from a Federal Security Service (FSB) representative who told him that Klunya was suspected of involvement in the destruction of railway infrastructure.
Russian authorities have yet to comment on the case.
There is would have had a slight increase in the number of rail accidents in Russia since the start of the invasion of Ukraine.
Some of these incidents have been claimed as deliberate attacks by anonymous groups opposed to the war – but there is little evidence to support these claims.
Filatchev said Klunya was his “assistant” and “right hand man” and dismissed the allegation that the activist may have been involved in sabotage.
“It’s complete nonsense,” Filachev said.
The Russian Citizens’ Alliance describe presents itself on its website as a “liberal-conservative” organization which “brings together young people who are not indifferent to the situation in our country”.