The rector of the Church of the Macaroni Monster Iosilevich was banned from using the Internet and participating in rallies

The Moscow District Court of Nizhny Novgorod has chosen a measure of restraint for the businessman, the rector of the Church of the Flying Macaroni Monster, Mikhail Iosilevich, informs Kommersant.

In the criminal case of an “undesirable organization” (Article 284.1 of the Criminal Code), he was banned from using the telephone and other means of communication, including going online, as well as communicating with witnesses and participating in political actions. In jail Iosilevich was from the end of January, 17 August released.

Iosilevich himself said that he had decided to temporarily abandon public and “social activities.” “I will not take part in rallies, public events, etc. I will not criticize Nikitin [губернатора Новгородской области]», — wrote he’s on Facebook. Iosilevich called his decision forced because of the “torture conditions” in the pre-trial detention center. If from prison he could say whatever he wanted, then at large he fears “to say something superfluous.” In addition, the entrepreneur did not rule out emigration.

Criminal case against Iosilevich aroused last October. The basis was two protocols for cooperation with “Open Russia”, which in 2017 was recognized as “undesirable”. According to the investigation, Iosilevich provided a room in the Pastafarians’ church for an event to train observers in elections to the local Duma “in order to encroach on the foundations of the constitutional order.” In addition, he allegedly organized seminars of the “Open Russia” in Nizhny Novgorod.

As part of this criminal case, the security forces searched both Iosilevich himself and four civil activists and Irina Slavina, a journalist from the local newspaper Koza.Press. Slavin later committed an act of self-immolation near the building of the local Ministry of Internal Affairs in protest against pressure from the authorities. She died on the spot.