Russia denounces plot to incite people to protest

The Kremlin has claimed that many people were tricked into taking part in illegal protests in Russia on March 26.

At a press conference on March 27, Russian President Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for the President, declared that the nationwide protests that took place the day before were a “provocation” because the organizers had deceived the participants by claiming that they were allowed to protest.

“The Kremlin respects the views of people and their right to express their opinions… However, we cannot respect those who deliberately mislead people… inciting illegal activities,” Sputnik quoted Mr. Peskov as saying. The Kremlin representative even accused many young protesters of being promised money in case of arrest by law enforcement agencies. The Russian Investigative Committee said on March 27 that it was investigating the matter.

Mr Peskov also rejected calls from foreign governments and organisations, including the US and the European Union, to release detained protesters, stressing that Russia’s international commitments “do not mean that Moscow has to violate its laws”.

Russian police on March 26 arrested hundreds of protesters across the country, including opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

On March 26, anti-corruption protests took place in several Russian cities, with Tverskaya Avenue in Moscow being the scene of the largest demonstration in the country. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, between 7,000 and 8,000 people marched in the capital in the unsanctioned demonstration. The Moscow mayor's office proposed two other locations for the demonstration, but organizers rejected them and called on supporters to gather at the designated location.

RT quoted police information saying that in Moscow alone, about 850 people were arrested due to conflicts with law enforcement, while news agencies such as Reuters and AFP said that more than 1,000 people were arrested nationwide.

Among those arrested was opposition leader Alexei Navalny, head of the Anti-Corruption Foundation. Mr Navalny, 40, had called for protests after publishing a report on Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev's assets.

A spokesman for the Russian prime minister called the corruption allegations against Medvedev a “propaganda attack,” criticizing them as a “show-off” ahead of the election of Navalny, who hopes to run for president next year. Navalny was sentenced to 15 days in prison for defying police orders and fined 20,000 rubles ($352) for organizing an illegal protest, according to Reuters.

According to TNO