MOSCOW  - A Russian court on Saturday put prominent opposition leader Sergei Udaltsov under house arrest amid accusations he incited mass disorder to overthrow President Vladimir Putin, local media reported. The Basmanny court in Moscow was responding to a request by investigators who said Udaltsov was not showing good behaviour and not cooperating with the authorities. The judge said that Udaltsov could flee abroad or “try to carry out his criminal intentions”. Under the terms of his house arrest, Udaltsov must stay at his home until April 6 and is banned from using the telephone or Internet.
He may only speak to his family, his lawyers and investigators. The 35-year-old leader of the Left Front, who until now has remained under travel restrictions that prevented him from leaving Moscow, faces 10 years in prison if a probe leads to a conviction. Authorities opened a probe after state-controlled television broadcast a documentary in October that alleged Udaltsov was plotting a violent uprising against Putin’s government. Udaltsov denies the accusations. Before appearing in court, he told the media: “In my opinion nothing has changed that justifies putting me under house arrest.” “I responded to all the investigators’ summons and I did not leave Moscow,” he added. Russia’s investigative committee had said Friday that Udaltsov was being uncooperative with authorities.