2 hours agoNavy release required, police in Russia with warning
Periskopi(5 years ago)
(5 years ago)Russian police issued a strong warning against participating in the protests scheduled for Sunday, where the release of imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny, the world's best-known Kremlin rival, will be sought. The warning comes amid the arrests of Navajo associates and several opposition journalists. He comes as police have announced [...]
Russian police issued a strong warning against participating in the protests scheduled for Sunday, where the release of imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny, the world's best-known Kremlin rival, will be sought.
The warning comes amid the arrests of Navajo associates and several opposition journalists. He comes as police announce plans to limit movements in downtown Moscow on Sunday.
Navalny was arrested on January 17th after arriving in Russia from Germany, where he had spent five months to recover from poisoning with a nervous agent. His arrest triggered nationwide protests a week ago in about 100 cities, and according to reports, nearly 4,000 people were arrested.
The next demonstration in Moscow is scheduled for Lubyanka Square. The Federal Security Service, which Navalny says organised his poisoning with Soviet-era ovice for the Kremlin, has headquarters in this square. The Russian government has denied having a role in poisoning the 44-year-old.
The city police department said most of central Moscow -- from Red Square to Lubyanka -- will have restrictions on pedestrians and that seven subway stations will be closed Sunday. Restaurants in this area will also be closed, while the renowned GUM retail complex at Red Square said it will only open in the evening.
Russian Interior Ministry spokeswoman Irina Volk cited the coronary pandemic at Saturday's warning against protests. She said participants caught in violation of epidemiological rules could face criminal charges.
The January 23rd protests in support of Navajo were the largest and most widespread in Russia after many years, and authorities are trying not to allow their repetition. Police held a series of raids this week at the Navalny family apartments and offices of his associates and his anti-corruption organisation.
Police arrested Mr Sergey Smirnov, editor-in-chief of independent Mediazone media in Moscow on Saturday under suspicion of participating in last weekend's protest, Mediazone reported.
