Russia: twelve journalists detained in Moscow demonstrations

On 3rd August, Moscow’s police has detained at least ten journalists covering a rally organized by opposition groups.

Photo: Maxim Zmeyev / AFP

Continuing the protest of 27 July, about 1500 people had gathered in the capital of Russia in order to demonstrate for fair elections to the city council. The IFJ, the EFJ and their affiliate, the Russian Federation of Journalists (RUJ), strongly condemn this violation of press freedom and demand the Russian authorities to respect the journalist’s right to report.

According to Moscow police, about 600 people were arrested during the riots. Among these, there were at least twelve journalists and photographers, RUJ reported:

  • Elena Vavina (Vedomosti)
  • Vladimir Romenski (Dozhd)
  • Aleksandra Semenova (MBH Media)
  • Aleksei Stepanov (MBH Media)
  • Kirill Ataniyazov
  • Natalia Panferova
  • Nikita Pavlyuk-Pavlyuchenko (Snob)
  • Arkady Dubnov
  • Anton Belitsky
  • Pyotr Koronayev (Baza)

Several of these journalists were detained despite the fact that they presented their press cards. All of them were  released immediately after they were brought to a police department.

The police used batons to beat those who attended the protests in order to crackdown the riots. In contrast to the demonstrations on 27th July, there were no registered cases of violence against journalists. Still, the police was very rude in conduct.

Protest were triggered after Moscow’s electoral authorities had rejected several opposition candidates from running in the elections to the city council. On Saturday 27th July, 3500 people attended a demonstration ending in a violent police crackdown, in which 1300 protesters were detained.  At least five journalists were injured and four arrested. EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini criticized Moscow authorities through her spokesperson Maja Kocijancic, saying the detentions “seriously undermine the fundamental freedoms of expression, association and assembly.”

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