About 60 Reportedly Detained at Moscow Party Rally

Moscow police detained about 60 people at an authorized Communist Party rally on October 4 after participants chanted slogans critical of the Kremlin, according to the party and the rights group OVD-Info. The final number and the detainees’ subsequent custody status have not been independently confirmed in the available accounts. The Communist Party said detentions took place as the rally was ending and that its Moscow branch was working to secure the release of those detained, most of whom it described as young people. OVD-Info reported that about 20 people were initially taken to a Moscow police station before the reported total rose to about 60. It said those detained included 26 Communist Party participants, 30 members of Yabloko and several other activists. Participants chanted “Freedom for political prisoners,” “For fair elections” and “Down with the Tsar,” according to the reports. OVD-Info also said protesters shouted “No to political repression” and “Down with Roskomnadzor.” The rally had been authorized by Moscow authorities. Accounts said detentions intensified as the event was ending, amid the chants.