Russian police officers opened fire Wednesday during the detention of a group of people near a central Moscow railway station, according to a police spokesperson.
"During the arrest of criminals the police deployed firearms," police spokesman Andrei Galiakberov was quoted as saying by Russian news agency TASS.
One of those arrested received a gunshot wound and was given medical assistance, TASS reported.
The incident reportedly took place at about 3 p.m. near Paveletsky Station, a busy railway hub in the center of the Russian capital. Three people were arrested, according to an eyewitness interviewed by the Dozhd television station.
Other witnesses painted a scene of chaos as police apparently shot up a car in which the suspects were traveling, before the car crashed and the men tried to escape on foot.
"Several armed people got out of the minibus and opened fire on the car. Those who were on the receiving end of the gunfire fled from the scene … and the minibus set off in pursuit," one eyewitness told the local Moskva news agency.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
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 every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
