Russian police carried out several arrests this Saturday, February 24, including journalists, during a gathering of wives of mobilized Russian soldiers demanding their return from Ukraine, a date which marks the second anniversary of the Russian offensive, reported two independent Russian media.
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Every Saturday, these military wives lay flowers on the tomb of the unknown soldier, a symbolic action in the shadow of the Kremlin walls to demand their return from the front.
Police have warned media, including the AFP, not to attend these rallies, and are arresting journalists who disregard this warning.
Videos from the Sota and SOTAvision media showing police officers arresting several people, including two with yellow vests crossed out with the word “press”, who had come to cover the weekly meeting of the “Pout Domoï” movement (The Way Home, in Russian) near the flame of the unknown soldier.
According to SOTAvision, two of its reporters are among the detainees.
“Laying flowers is a civic action that is not without risk”
One of the soldiers' wives told SOTAvision, in a video, that the movement activists had been able to leave the flowers, but that they were
“under control, in a convoy of law enforcement officers”
.
“Nowadays, simply laying flowers is a civic action that is not without risk
,” said the activist, whose name was not specified.
In another video, a police officer orders a SOTAvision journalist who is being arrested to turn off her camera under penalty of criminal prosecution.
“Girl, stop spinning!
I repeat !
You have officially been warned!
If you fail to comply with the lawful demands of a police officer, you will be prosecuted for 'disobeying a lawful order of a police officer'!”
, we hear the agent say.