Activists of a Russian opposition movement will gather in downtown Moscow on Friday for a "Day of Wrath" rally against recent attacks on a journalists and an environmental activist.
The Day of Wrath protests are traditionally aimed against the policies of Yuri Luzhkov, who had been mayor since 1992 and was recently sacked by the president over the "loss of confidence."
This time, the Left Front opposition movement is set to "show solidarity" with Kommersant journalist Oleg Kashin and environmental activist Konstantin Fetisov, a campaigner against the construction of a highway through the notorious Khimki Forest. Both men were taken to intensive care after brutal attacks.
"Participants will demand complete investigation into the attacks under direct control from the society and stern punishment for perpetrators and masterminds of the attacks," the organization said in a statement.
The Left Front has earlier rejected a venue suggested by the Moscow Government. The government's press office has already issued a warning for opposition activists, saying that the rally was not sanctioned by the authorities. Unauthorized rallies in Moscow usually result in mass detentions.
The Left Front activists would also put forward their traditional demands, which include greater powers for the capital's municipal authorities, early elections to the Moscow city legislature and thorough investigation into the previous mayor's policies.
According to police estimates some 50 people took part in the previous similar rally on October 12, which was covered by around 150 journalists. Over 30 people were detained.
MOSCOW, November 12 (RIA Novosti)
