Russia: nearly 800 people arrested during banned demonstrations against the war in Ukraine

“No to war!

They defied the ban on assembly decreed by the Russian authorities.

At least 788 people were arrested by Russian police on Thursday during protests against the war in Ukraine in several cities across the country, the specialized NGO OVD-Info reported.

Nearly half were in Moscow, where AFP witnessed dozens of arrests in Pushkin Square in the center.

Among the over a thousand people who came to Moscow to denounce the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, some have relatives in this country.

"My aunt lives in Ukraine, I'm afraid for her," said Tatiana, an 18-year-old student from Moscow who prefers not to mention her last name.

Rallies took place in 42 cities, according to the NGO, including Saint Petersburg, the country's second city.

Ukraine images of the demonstration in Moscow against the war and the invasion decided by Putin to save his regime.

Despite threats and repression, Russians in big cities are showing their opposition.pic.twitter.com/PSsl5nd7Cm

— cedric mas (@CedricMas) February 24, 2022

The Ministry of the Interior, the Prosecutor's Office and the Russian Investigation Committee had promised to repress any "unauthorized" demonstration organized in the country against the war in Ukraine, while Moscow launched a large-scale military operation there in the morning.

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 that the gatherings would be “illegal” and that the police “will take all necessary measures to ensure public order. The Russian authorities promise sanctions in the event of anti-war demonstrations”.

Five years in prison in the event of an assembly deemed illegal

According to a report published Thursday, August 12, 2021 by Amnesty International, protesting is increasingly difficult due to the ever tougher legislative arsenal.

A sentence of five years' imprisonment" can be pronounced in the event of participation in a gathering deemed illegal, explained on Franceinfo Alexander Artemyev, the spokesman for the regional department of Eastern Europe and Central Asia of Amnesty International.

Some social media accounts called on Russians to gather this Thursday evening in Moscow and St. Petersburg 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.

On the list of "terrorists and extremists" of Moscow, Alexeï Navalny said this Thursday opposed to the Russian war in Ukraine.