Pussy Riot's Pyotr Verzilov arrested in Moscow, attacked after release

At 7am on Sunday, Pyotr Verzilov, a co-founder of the activist group Pussy Riot, was apprehended in his Moscow residence under anti-extremism laws. This arrest is linked to protests from July of the previous year concerning alleged electoral fraud. Security cameras recorded masked individuals breaking into his home during the operation. After spending 13 hours in detention, Verzilov was released, only to be attacked by an unidentified assailant outside the police station and promptly rearrested. This event is part of an ongoing struggle with Russian authorities. In 2018, he was poisoned after investigating the deaths of three Russian journalists, which he regarded as a threat from the Putin regime. Verzilov, who has dual Russian and Canadian citizenship, remains dedicated to his activism in Russia, emphasizing its importance in a repressive environment. A police representative confirmed the arrest to state media TASS but did not elaborate on the reasons.