MOSCOW, November 20 (RIA Novosti) – The Moscow authorities have refused to grant permission for an opposition rally against “political repression” that was to be held later this week on that grounds that there is no such thing in Russia.
“The current law does not provide any measures used by the state for repression based on political motives,” according to the official refusal, which an opposition group scanned and posted online.
Permission had been granted for a similar rally held in July.
The application was for a rally to take place on Saturday near the Pushkinskaya metro station in support of opposition activists and protesters who have been prosecuted in recent months.
At least 18 people have been charged over clashes in central Moscow at a protest on the eve of Vladimir Putin’s inauguration for a third presidential term in Moscow. Only one person has faced trial so far and was jailed for four and a half years after admitting he attacked police.