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Russian human rights adviser criticizes police crackdown on protesters

© RIA Novosti . Alexander Utkin / Go to the mediabankPolice have detained more than 600 people over two nights of protests against alleged fraud in Sunday’s parliamentary elections in which Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party won a much reduced majority.
Police have detained more than 600 people over two nights of protests against alleged fraud in Sunday’s parliamentary elections in which Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party won a much reduced majority. - Sputnik International
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An adviser to President Dmitry Medvedev on human rights issues has criticized Moscow police and the courts for their handling of opposition demonstrations in downtown Moscow earlier this week.

An adviser to President Dmitry Medvedev on human rights issues has criticized Moscow police and the courts for their handling of opposition demonstrations in downtown Moscow earlier this week.

“They just can’t handle this kind of situation,” Mikhail Fedotov, chairman of the presidential council for human rights and civil society, told reporters on Wednesday.

Police have detained about 900 people over two nights of protests against alleged fraud in Sunday’s parliamentary elections in which Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party won a much reduced majority.

President Dmitry Medvedev said the vote was free and democratic.

“If a person commits an administrative offence, namely, takes part in an unauthorized rally, the maximum penalty they may get is a fine. They do not face administrative arrest,” Fedorov said.

On Tuesday night, up to 1,000 protesters faced off with Putin supporters in downtown Triumfalnya Square, following a rally on Monday that drew up to 6,000 people.

Police said they were acting according to the law.

Fedotov said he was also concerned over reports that detainees were denied food or water for many hours.

“This is absolutely unacceptable,” he said.

On Tuesday, a Moscow court sentenced anti-regime blogger Alexei Navalny to 15 days in jail for disobeying police orders during Monday’s protest. Ilya Yashin, leader of the opposition Solidarity movement, was also jailed for 15 days.

The human rights council will hold a meeting to discuss the protests soon.

 

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