MOSCOW, February 24 (RAPSI) – Moscow’s Zamoskvoretsky District Court on Monday sentenced eight activists to prison terms of three to four years in prison for participation in Moscow's 2012 Bolotnaya riots, RAPSI reports from the courtroom.

Aleksandra Dukhanina was given a suspended sentence, Sergei Krivov received four years in prison, Artyom Savyolov - two years and seven months, Stepan Zimin and Aleksei Polikhovitch - three years and six months, Andrei Barabanov to three years and seven months, Yaroslav Belousov received a sentence of two and a half years in prison.

Police reported around 200 people gathering outside the courthouse, with approximately a 100 being detained for disturbing the peace.

Initially, twelve suspects were on the indictment, but four were pardoned pursuant to a broad amnesty spearheaded by Russian President Vladimir Putin in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Russian constitution.

On January 22, prosecutors issued a statement vowing to hold the remaining defendants guilty of participating in riots and assaulting the police.

Over 400 people were arrested and scores injured in the Bolotnaya Square protest that turned violent in May 2012. Dozens were later charged with inciting mass riots and using violence against law enforcement officers.