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Police defends construction site from opposition
Published: 31 August, 2010, 19:33
Edited: 22 September, 2010, 14:37
RIA Novosti / Aleksey Kudenko, STF
TAGS: Conflict, Russia, Protest, Politics, Human rights
Law enforcement agencies have dispersed another unauthorized opposition rally in downtown Moscow held in support of Article 31 of the Russian Constitution.
Police detained on August 31 about 30 participants of the event, including organizers Boris Nemtsov, Eduard Limonov, Konstantin Kosyakin and Sergey Udaltsov.
Article 31 of the Russian Constitution guarantees the freedom of assembly, and human rights activists and opposition leaders hold rallies on the last day of each month that has 31 days.
Prominent human rights activists Lyudmila Alekseyeva left the place of the rally because she did not see a way to hold it, Ekho Moskvy radio said.
Four deputies of the European parliament were also expected to take part in the rally. Documentary film director Andrey Nekrasov and one of the organizers of the action told Interfax he had invited human rights sub-committee head Heidi Hautala of Finland, her deputy Laima Andrikiena of Lithuania, Thijs Berman of the Netherlands, and Kristina Partelpog of Estonia to attend the rally. The European Parliament’s delegation, which is now in Moscow, is heading to the North Caucasus.
Police had tightened security ahead of the rally, fencing off Triumfalnaya Square. Construction work of a planned underground parking lot started there recently.
Moscow Police deputy head Vyacheslav Kozlov had warned that law enforcement forces would act in accordance with the standard scenario. “We will ask the rally to disperse and explain to the people that it is illegal. Those who fail to obey will be removed from the square,” he was quoted by Interfax as saying.
However, Mayor Yury Luzhkov said on August 31 that the Moscow authorities consider applications of opposition forces without “a special attitude.” All political forces should observe the law, he added.
The mayor stressed that the city officials has reject applications made by many groups including youth organizations supporting the government’s policies.
As the construction work began, the authorities stopped issuing permissions for rallies on Triumfalnaya.
Minor rallies were held in several Russian cities. In downtown St. Petersburg, police also dispersed the rally and detained several participants.
The events in support of the Article 31 are also expected to be held in New York, London and Tel Aviv.
Sergey Borisov, RT
31.08.2010, 17:35
10 comments
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Marko you come from a position hostile to the current Russian authorities, i respect that, everyone has out side of Russia its own opinion of what is going on there, if we all had the same opinion there wouldn't be a need to debate, I am for restricting demonstrators to were they want to go , you feel they should go were ever they please, its fair, ... Russia has its laws and all should respect them, if you or me don't like them to bad. Your tax money shouldn't finance St Petersburg waste plant but on that your problem is with your government for doing it and not with Russia.
Akropolis: Why shouldn't they have right to have a demonstration in the middle of the city where they want to? I don't think the bad treatment of these people is needed to prove that the Russian democracy is far from real. And why are Putin & co so afraid of a few hundred people? This is interesting question to think about. As a Finnish tax payer I don't understand why I have to finance for example St Petersburg's waste treatment plant while Russian olicharcs are at the same time competing who buys the largest yacht in the world. Why don't Russia collect enough taxes from them and pay to clean it's own wastes?
Akropolis: I wouldn't say hostile, but very much concerned about especially mr. Putin's actions. I believe I understand somewhat what is going on in Russia. I also understand that there are much more important things than where to have a demonstration in Russia. Huge amount of more important problems to be taken care of! I also understand that it might annoy Russians that I comment these things across the border from country with less problems. But I also think that it's utmost important not to give up parts of the democracy and human rights, as they are very difficult to get back, if government manages to make people believe they are just a nuisance. About the waste processing plant. It should be Russia's problem to take care of their own wastes. I think that is not too much to ask as they are causing huge problems to the Baltic Sea. And if other countries (Finland included) wouldn't be participating cleaning Peter's wastes noone would be doing anything about it. So Russia is making it other countries and thus my problem as a tax payer.