On Monday, January 6, Moscow police detained 28 opposition activists which took part in a protest gathering dedicated to Bolotnaya's political prisoners.
Independent rights group OVD-Info reported about 28 people which were detained during a demonstration on Manezh Square that was held in support of a group of protesters arrested as part of the so-called Bolotnaya Case opened by the authorities in the wake of a 2012 anti-Kremlin rally that descended into a bloody melee with police.
According to some opposition leaders, about 100 people took part in the protest in Moscow. During the action the activists were holding placards calling for the release of political prisoners in Russia, and then started setting off flares at the moment of their detention.
The rally is part of a series of protests to be held on the 6th of every month. That date marks the May 6 protest in 2012 after which opposition leaders allege that dozens of people were arrested an on politically motivated charges. Russian top authorities repeatedly denied any presence of political prisoners in the country.
Despite expectations, the imprisoned Bolotnaya Case's protesters weren't included in an amnesty signed by Russian President in December 2013.
Author: Julia Alieva