Alexei Moskalev: Father of girl who drew anti-war picture arrested on run in Minsk

A antheral sentenced to jailhouse successful Russia aft his girl drew an "anti-war" representation has been caught successful Belarus, aft seemingly fleeing the country.

Alexei Moskalev was fixed a two-year jailhouse condemnation successful absentia connected Tuesday for discrediting the army.

He came to the attraction of authorities past twelvemonth - after, helium said, a schoolhouse reported the drafting to police.

A lawyer said helium was astir apt caught successful Minsk aft switching connected his mobile phone, which revealed his location.

Speaking to Reuters, lawyer Dmitry Zakhvatov said "someone had made a mistake" to springiness distant his location.

"Most apt it was owed to him utilizing a mobile telephone improperly," helium said.

That mentation of events was supported by writer Marina Ovsyannikova, known for her anti-war protests.

"He was warned successful beforehand to crook disconnected his mobile telephone and propulsion retired the SIM paper earlier escaping. But successful Minsk, Alexei decided to crook it connected for immoderate reason," she wrote, but past deleted the post.

The Belarusian authorities confirmed Mr Moskalev had been detained astatine Russia's request.

It is unclear however helium made it to Belarus, but radical who question to permission Russia unnoticed by the authorities often permission via Belarusian territory.

Mr Moskalev lived astir 320 kilometres (200 miles) southbound of Moscow successful a municipality called Yefremov.

His problems began aft Masha Moskalev, past 12, drew a Ukrainian emblem successful April past twelvemonth with the words "Glory to Ukraine", rockets and a Russian emblem with the operation "No to war!"

He said the schoolhouse reported his daughter's drafting to police. After that, Mr Moskalev was fined for an anti-war societal media post.

But aft his level was searched successful December helium was charged nether the transgression codification due to the fact that helium had already been convicted of a akin offence.

Authorities separated Masha from her begetter and placed her into a children's home, aft the lawsuit began. She has not been seen successful nationalist since 1 March.

On Tuesday, erstwhile Mr Moskalev was sentenced to 2 years successful jail, the tribunal property caput said helium had escaped his location arrest.

He had pleaded not blameworthy to the charges, but seemingly fled Russia successful anticipation of a blameworthy verdict.

Speaking to the BBC aft the sentencing, the municipality councillor Olga Podolskaya said she was successful "shock".

"A situation condemnation for expressing your sentiment is simply a unspeakable thing. A two-year jailhouse word is simply a nightmare."

Another lawyer representing the household said helium did not cognize if the teen had been told her begetter was connected the run.