Duma candidates Nikita Belykh (left) and Boris Nemtsov (right) were released comparatively quickly after being arrested at an opposition march in St. Petersburg on Sunday thanks to their status as candidates.
Photo: Sergey Mikheev
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West Demands Release of Marchers
More participants in the opposition march in Moscow on Saturday have been found guilty in court of infractions, causing a sharp reaction in the West. Russian authorities say the marchers “organized a provocation” and have not criticized the behavior of the police. Human rights activists and leader of Other Russia, which organized the march, have accused the police and authorities of massive violations of human rights. They say that about 50 people were taken into custody when the march was broken up. Many of the detainees have been fined or given jail time.
United Civic Front leader Garri Kasparov was sentenced to five days in jail on Saturday. His whereabouts are now unknown. After reports were received that he was being held at the main police (GUVD) headquarters in Moscow, MP Vladimir Ryzhkov tried to visit him there but was not admitted. National Bolshevik press secretary Alexander Averin and Defense movement coordinator Oleg Kozlovsky received the same sentences on Monday for resisting the police and taking part in an unauthorized march.
Representatives of the Council of Europe, Germany, France and the United States have expressed their concern and disapproval of Russia's handling of the opposition march. A spokesman for Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov's office called the actions of the police “correct and effective.” Other Russia activists intend to file a number of suits related to the suppression of the march and the arrests of its participants.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Nov. 27, 2007
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