(Moscow) More than 140 people were arrested Wednesday evening by the police after a rally of the opposition in central Moscow to protest against a recent revision of the Constitution, according to the count by the NGO OVD-Info, which specializes in monitoring protests in Russia.
Published on 15 July 2020 in 18 h 36
France Media Agency
In total, 142 people were arrested, according to this source, after this unauthorized protest action against the constitutional amendments which notably gave President Vladimir Putin the right to remain in power until 2036, the year of his 84 years.
A municipal deputy of the opposition who is a leading figure in this movement against this revision of the Constitution, Ioulia Galiamina, announced on Facebook that she was arrested with her daughter in the Russian capital.
AFP reporters saw protesters and journalists arrested on a city center street, then taken to police buses after the rainy demonstration in Pushkin Square.
An AFP correspondent was briefly arrested.
M me Galiamina and her supporters collected signatures – she wrote on Twitter to have obtained them 5000, “an excellent result” – for an appeal to the Supreme Court against the approval ratified this month of the Russian Constitution.
PHOTO PAVEL GOLOVKIN, AP
After a vote organized in late June and early July, this reform was approved by almost 78% Of voters, according to official results, but the opposition denounced massive fraud.
The opponent Alexei Navalny described this public consultation as “a huge lie” and the NGO Golos, specialized in the observation of the elections, denounced an “unprecedented” attack on the sovereignty of the Russian people .
“I voted against,” said Inna Golovina, an accountant from 46 Years present Wednesday in the Russian capital during the demonstration. “It is said that the results were faked. I have come to express my opposition, ”she added.
“Russia without Putin!” “,” Russia will be free! “Chanted protesters.
“The authorities do what they want, the opinion of the people does not interest anyone,” complained Andreï Stepanov, 50 years old, a retired soldier who participated in a similar action in Saint Petersburg, the second largest city in Russia.
Up to a thousand people gathered for the occasion, according to an AFP journalist.
“We have to show that we are against it in a way,” continued Mr. Stepanov.
The revision of the Constitution particularly strengthens the powers of the Head of State and allows him to serve two additional terms.