Accessibility links

Breaking News

Hundreds Rally Against Russian Arrests Of Opposition Activists


A rally in support of political prisoners in central Moscow on October 30 honored victims of the past and present.
A rally in support of political prisoners in central Moscow on October 30 honored victims of the past and present.
Several hundred people have rallied in Moscow to protest the arrest of opposition activists facing charges for riots that broke out at a May demonstration against the reelection of President Vladimir Putin.

Participants in the October 30 rally demanded those arrested opposition activists be freed.

Leader of the opposition Left Front Sergei Udaltsov was among the demonstrators.

He claimed more than 2,000 people turned out despite bad weather.

The action was timed to coincide with events marking "Remembrance Day for Victims of Political Persecution" commemorating Soviet leader Joseph Stalin' purges.

The opposition rally was billed as an act of defense for "modern political prisoners."

Another opposition leader, blogger Aleksei Navalny, was not reported as attending the rally.

A Moscow court earlier on October 30 fined Navalny $1,000 for participating in a protest last weekend.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and Interfax

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG