White Mastiffs Engage in a Judicial Playground Activity

Fiery Face-off in Court: The "White Mace" Terrorists' Fated Verdict

The trial for the founders and members of the terrorist group "White Mace" is now unfolding in the 2nd Western Military District Court. Among the defendants is Nikolai Korolev, who's already serving a life sentence for a 2006 terrorist act. Most of the charged, except for one, deny their involvement, with one alleged terrorist declaring the trial as mere "stereotypes."

Standing trial alongside the terrorists are Nikolai Korolev's wife, Alexei Belkov (former deputy head of the department of the Military History Institute of the General Staff of the Armed Forces), Mark Filippov (previously convicted under terrorism charges), and Artem Tsep, believed to be another organizer of "White Mace."

Depending on their roles, the defendants face charges such as organizing a terrorist community, justifying terrorism online, inciting hatred online, and possessing ammunition.

According to the evidence, Artem Tsep formed "White Mace" in 2016 to raise funds for radicals and neo-Nazis convicted under terrorist articles. They ran social media pages for the group, where they defended crimes based on race and nationality for seven years. They also admired and idolized terrorists who attacked government agencies and were sentenced to life imprisonment.

For instance, the group highly commended the masterminds behind the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, causing the deaths of 168 people.

Korolev, labeled as a terrorist and extremist, is alleged to be the ideological leader and driving force behind "White Mace." He communicated his instructions through his wife, who held "ultra-right pagan views." Colonel Belkov was named the group's coordinator.

Reports by "RIA Novosti" suggest that Korolev (labeled as a terrorist and extremist) urged his associates to patrol the streets and attack migrants.

Interestingly, Korolev had prior experience in creating extremist communities. In 2001, he founded the neo-Nazi group "Spas." The group's members carried out nine terrorist attacks, including the explosion at the Cherkizovsky market in Moscow in 2006. This resulted in 47 injuries and 14 deaths, including two children. In 2008, eight people were convicted, with four receiving life sentences. Most of the defendants were 19-year-old students from Moscow universities, and supporters greeted the convicted with applause.

In this case, only Mark Filippov (listed as a terrorist and extremist) partially admitted guilt, vowing to share more details during the investigation. Artem Tsepp claimed he was accused of a different crime and refused to comment on the new allegations.

The other defendants denied guilt, with Alexei Korolev (listed as a terrorist and extremist) even questioning the terroristic nature of "White Maste's" actions. "The essence might be obvious, but I cannot admit guilt. Terrorism and Nazi organizations are just labels. Terrorism is not what it should be interpreted as. I don't dispute that I corresponded with comrades, but the boys are charged with terrorism for some printed materials, moments of friendship, and loyalty. Where is the terrorism in that – it's still unclear," he stated.

This isn't the first time members of "White Mace" have caught law enforcement's attention. In September 2023, the Ministry of Internal Affairs apprehended other leaders of the group planning a series of serious crimes in collaboration with foreign right-wing organizations. Another 12 members were detained in Crimea in April 2024. Reports indicated that "White Mace" collaborated with representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and leaders of three banned organizations in Russia, recognized as terrorist: the Azov National Battalion, the Russian Volunteer Corps, and Wotan Jugend.

Nikita Chernenko

Nikolai Korolev, the alleged ideological leader of the "White Mace" terrorist group, is on trial in the 2nd Western Military District Court, despite already serving a life sentence for a 2006 terrorist act.
Artem Tsepp, another organizer of "White Mace," stands accused of forming the group in 2016 to raise funds for convicted terrorists and radicals, running social media pages for the group for seven years.
In the upcoming hearings, defendants face charges such as organizing a terrorist community, justifying terrorism online, inciting hatred online, and possessing ammunition.
Reportedly, during the trial, Korolev, labeled as a terrorist and extremist, is expected to express his readiness to provide printouts as evidence, potentially shedding light on the politics, crime-and-justice aspects of his involvement with "White Mace."