Preventative talks and arrests: Protests against internet blocking in Russian cities failed to take place.
Protests against internet blocking were scheduled to take place today in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, and several other Russian cities. Security forces cordoned off all potential protest areas in advance, and the rallies ultimately did not take place.
(I.e.In Moscow Riot police blocked Zamoskvoretsky Bridge towards the Kremlin. Security forces are on Bolotnaya Square. called upon those who had gathered to disperse were pushed back into the neighboring streets. People threatenedthat “if they order you to tie me up, they will tie me up,” since “an event is going on” in the Kremlin.
By this hour the number of detainees has increased up to eight. Among them are minors. Lawyer from OVD-Info Natalia Tikhonova not allowed to the Meshchansky police department to see those detained on Bolotnaya Square.
Minutes earlier on Bolotnaya Square in Moscow detained three more people - Alexander Kuzmin, Potemka Simagin and a minor young man.
(I.e.In Petersburg detained A young man with a tricolor flag in his hands was taken into a police van, threatened with the military registration and enlistment office, but then released. By this hour detained one more.
(I.e.In Voronezh detained activist Nikita Nesmeyanov after a solo picket against internet blocking.
🔷For posting ads for free internet detained and let go Kaluga activist Konstantin LarionovHe was asked to write an explanatory note, but the activist exercised his right not to testify against himself.
"We [the volunteer and I] haven't broken any laws and we don't intend to. All we want is to make our country a better place, so that people can live better. We'll see if there's a report.", Larionov reported on his Telegram channel.
Photos and videos: SOTAvision (Moscow), Bumaga (St. Petersburg), Larionov's Telegram channel
