Support The Moscow Times!

Russia Day Detentions 'Arbitrary and Abusive,' Says Human Rights Watch

Riot police detain a demonstrator during an anti-corruption protest in central St. Petersburg, Russia, June 12, 2017. Anton Vaganov / Reuters

Russian riot police used excessive force against hundreds of demonstrators during anti-corruption protests on June 12, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Friday.

The human rights group interviewed 13 protesters and described conditions under which they were detained and held during Russia Day demonstrations in Moscow and St. Petersburg as “abusive.”

According to HRW, riot police used “excessive force against protesters.”

“If protesters questioned their detentions or refused to go willingly, the police handled them roughly and in some cases dragged them on the ground, beat them with truncheons, kicked them with booted feet, and punched them,” the HRW brief said.

“The mass detentions on June 12 were arbitrary and abusive. People have a right to free assembly, authorized or not,” Tanya Lokshina, Russia program director at Human Rights Watch, said.

Police detained 866 people in Moscow and 658 people in St. Petersburg, HRW said. More than 130 children were arrested in Moscow and about 65 in St. Petersburg.  

Those who had been detained told Human Rights Watch they received fines between 3,000 and 15,000 rubles ($30 to $250). Some received sentences of up to 15 days.

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more