(Moscow) The Russian authorities promised Thursday to repress any “unauthorized” demonstration organized in the country against the war in Ukraine, where Moscow launched a major military operation in the morning.
Posted at 10:20 a.m.
Pushkin Square in central Moscow, where a demonstration is planned for the evening, according to a call on social networks, was squared by a large police cordon, AFP journalists noted.
The specialized NGO OVD-Info has already recorded at least 60 arrests of people who demonstrated alone with signs against the war across the country on Thursday.
The Russian Interior Ministry, Prosecutor’s Office and Investigative Committee have all warned Russians against any protest action.
The Investigative Committee pointed out that participants in rallies over “the tense foreign policy situation” or clashes faced prosecution.
“We remind you that calls to participate and direct participation in such unauthorized actions carry serious legal consequences,” he warned.
The Prosecutor’s Office told him that they had sent “warnings” to people urging them to participate in protest demonstrations against the war in Ukraine.
The Interior Ministry warned him that the gatherings would be “illegal” and that the police “will take all necessary measures to ensure public order”.
In another warning, he promised to “take all necessary measures to maintain order”.
“Any provocation, aggression against the police, non-compliance with their legal requirements will be immediately repressed. The perpetrators of these offenses will be arrested and brought to justice,” he said.
Some social media accounts have called on Russians to gather in Moscow and St. Petersburg on Thursday night to protest the war. The Russian opposition, however, has been decimated in the past two years and its leaders imprisoned or driven into exile.
The main opponent of the Kremlin, Alexeï Navalny, is currently imprisoned in a case he deems political and faces new charges in a trial started several days ago and in which he faces ten years of additional imprisonment.
Mr. Navalny said Thursday that he was opposed to the Russian war in Ukraine.
In addition, Moscow has never lifted its health restrictions on demonstrations, linked to COVID-19. Except for pro-power rallies.