On September 19 police from the Arbat Police department
interfered with the work of YABLOKO’s mobile office at the
Arbat street. On the telephone call from a member of Political
Council for the local United Russia branch head of the local
police department colonel Alexei Platonov and policemen
with guns arrived “to restore order” at the place where
YABLOKO’s office was stationed.
Colonel Platonov demanded that YABLOKO’s candidates to
the deputies of the Moscow City Duma Alexandra Vassilyieva
and Shamil Amirov should stop their communication with the
local residents threatening with arrest and drawing of a
protocol of administrative violation.
Sergei Mitrokhin, YABLOKO’s leader, who arrived at the place,
got in touch with the central police department. Mitrokhin
demanded that measures should be taken against the policemen
interfering with lawful campaigning of the party.
YABLOKO’s mobile office began its work at the Arbat street
at about 2 pm. At about 3.30 p.m. a man who introduced himself
as Alexei Smilin, member of the United Russia Political
Council, approached. He said that YABLOKO’s campaigning
is unlawful and recommended to “communicate with the citizens
inside YABLOKO’s coach”. He called the police claiming that
YABLOKO was conducting unsanctioned picketing. Deputy Chair
of the Central Administrative district Alexei Pashkov (Arbat
is located in this district), also member of the United
Russia, confirmed to the police YABLOKO’s alleged “picketing”.
An hour later the police managed to clarify the situation
and retreated, and YABLOKO’ candidates continued communication
with the citizens.
Sergei Mitrokhin told hat United Russia with the help of
police tried to interfere with YABLOKO’s campaign. “Fight
against YABLOKO goes on: first they hindered our collection
of signatures [for registration in the campaign], then they
prohibited placing our slogans on public transport and now
they interfere with our campaigning in the streets of the
city,” Mitrokhin said. He also added the United Russia “have
been trying not to let an opposition party to get to the
[Moscow City] Duma”.
Photographs from the action see at the
Moscow YABLOKO web-site
See also:
Elections
to the Moscow City Duma
