Europe

Moscow rally in support of political prisoners

Protesters demand freedom for those jailed and detained at an anti-Putin rally in Bolotnaya Square in May 2012

A man takes part in today’s opposition rally in Moscow. The sticker reads “Putin”. Photograph: Maxim Shemetov/Reuters
A man takes part in today’s opposition rally in Moscow. The sticker reads “Putin”. Photograph: Maxim Shemetov/Reuters
Sun Oct 27 2013 - 16:53

About 4,500 people gathered at a rally in Moscow to urge Russian President Vladimir Putin's government to free political prisoners, according to police estimates.

Protesters are demanding freedom for jailed and detained participants of an anti-Putin rally in Bolotnaya Square in May 2012, according to a Facebook page posted by demonstrators, who had planned to bring together as many as 20,000 people.

Rally participants are also supporting others they deem political prisoners, including jailed oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Pussy Riot punk band members and detained Greenpeace activists, Gazeta.ru reports from the site.

Protesters demanded the release of political prisoners including anti-government activists detained in Moscow’s Bolotnaya Square on May 6th, 2012, the eve of President Vladimir Putin’s inauguration. The banner reads “To release prisoners”. Photograph: Maxim Shemetov/Reuters
Protesters demanded the release of political prisoners including anti-government activists detained in Moscow’s Bolotnaya Square on May 6th, 2012, the eve of President Vladimir Putin’s inauguration. The banner reads “To release prisoners”. Photograph: Maxim Shemetov/Reuters
Thousands took part in today’s opposition rally. Photograph: Maxim Shemetov/Reuters
Thousands took part in today’s opposition rally. Photograph: Maxim Shemetov/Reuters

Bloomberg