Russian security forces detained over 5,000 people during large-scale protests in Russian cities in support of Alexei Navalny,
According to the latest data from human rights defenders from the Department of Internal Affairs-Info, security forces detained more than 1600 people in Moscow alone, with St. Petersburg having had over 1100 detentions.
Police and Rosgvardia officers detained people indiscriminately, and the media reported that the security forces beat the protesters. A total of about a hundred journalists and media staff were detained during the demonstrations.
A European Union leader has already responded to the lawlessness and demanded that the Kremlin comply with its international obligations.
"I deplore widespread detentions and disproportionate use of force against protesters and journalists in #Russia again today. People must be able to exercise their right to demonstrate without fear of repression. Russia needs to comply with its international commitments," Josep Borrel, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, said in his statement on Twitter.
The cruelty of Russian security forces was also commented on in the United States. Thus, the new head of the State Department Antony Blinken said on Twitter that “the U.S. condemns the persistent use of harsh tactics against peaceful protesters and journalists by Russian authorities for a second week straight. We renew our call for Russia to release those detained for exercising their human rights, including Aleksey Navalny”.
In addition, the U.S. demanded the release of illegal detainees, including Mr. Navalny.
As Apostrophe reported earlier, Yulia Navanaya, the wife of Alexey Navalny, was also detained by security forces. She will be brought to trial on February 1.