MOSCOW, January 23 (RAPSI) – The Russian Investigative Committee has opened criminal cases against five Russian nationals on suspicion of their association with Right Sector, a far-right Ukrainian nationalist group banned in Russia, RIA Novosti reported on Monday.

Acting spokeswoman for the Investigative Committee Svetlana Petrenko said that cases were launched against Igor Chudinov, Gennady Khamrayev, Georgy Stotsky, Roman Strigunkov and Alexander Valov. Investigators believe that these people have radical beliefs supporting fascism and nationalism.

Allegedly in different periods of time they left Russia for Ukraine where they joined ranks of the Right Sector. According to Petrenko, Chudinov was a deputy commander in one of the organization’s combat divisions while Khamrayev was actively involved in raids against civil population of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic.

Petrenko claimed that Stocky, Strigunkov and Valov systematically participated in Right Sector’s rallies, marches and other similar activities. They were also allegedly involved in propaganda of organization’s ideology.

Right Sector is a Ukrainian association of radical nationalist organizations. In January and February 2014, its members clashed with police and seized administrative buildings in Kiev. Since April 2014, Right Sector has been involved in fighting the protest movement in eastern Ukraine.

In November 2014, Russia’s Supreme Court declared Right Sector an extremist group and banned its activity in Russia. The Investigative Committee opened a criminal case against Right Sector leader Dmitry Yarosh for the alleged incitement of terrorism.

In January 2015, Right Sector was added to the Russian register of prohibited organizations.