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BREAKING: Arrests and raids galore in Russia, as the country braces itself for unsanctioned rallies in support of #Navalny & #Putin's address to the nation. I will report live. In Moscow, the police just pulled out of a taxi and drove away an opposition leader Lyubov Sobol.
BREAKING: In St. Petersburg, the police searched the homes of six activists and a journalist. Water canon trucks appeared on the main street of the city. In Kurgan, an employee of Navalny's Anti-Corruption Fund center, as well as the girlfriend of the coordinator, were detained.
In Irkutsk, an activist was detained six hours before the rally, without a reason, as he walked down the street. In Ulan-Ude, the mayor's office suddenly decided to fumigate the square where the rally was planned, "against ticks."
In Krasnoyarsk, the security forces confisctated a phone and laptop of an activist
In Yekaterinburg, Navalny's Anti-Corruption Fund center coordinator's place was raided.
In Yekaterinburg, Navalny's Anti-Corruption Fund center coordinator's place was raided.
Today Russian "Facebooks", Vkontakte and Odnoklassniki, have removed calls for actions in support of Navalny following the requests of the Russian watchdog Roskomnadzor to avoid fines.
The database with e-mail addresses of people who registered for the protest was hacked last week and the information was leaked and made public. Now people started to receive threats.
Navalny's team called for all-Russian rallies to support #Navalny who is on his 22 day of a hunger strike. The Kremlin refuses to provide a doctor's visit to Navalny & instead transferred him to a penal colony TB ward, solitary cell. No treatment is provided.
Meanwhile, solidarity protests are taking place all over the world. San Francisco, today.
Even in Guam--5 people!
Back to Russia, Far East is starting to get ready. Check out the troops in downtown Vladivostok. https://twitter.com/MBKhMedia/status/1384775670845382656
BREAKING: #Navlany's press secretary Kira Yarmush was just detained at the entrance of her building as she went to the store at the time allowed by the court (she's under partial house arrest.)
Meanwhile, n Moscow and St. Petersburg, security forces block the central streets (8 hours before the rallies)
All around Russia activists and volunteers are detained and arrested.
While waiting to hear some more (nightmarish) news, here is Navalny's message from the TB ward of a penal colony (from this morning US time): https://twitter.com/ZarinaZabrisky/status/1384527806403473412
More Far East action: Khabarovsk, downtown, now. The rally was not sanctioned by the local authorities. https://twitter.com/mediazzzona/status/1384781352395055104
In Moscow, the police just arrived at the home of Moscow University Protest Telegram-channel, they threaten to interrogate neighbors. In Karelia, nine people are detained for posts about the rally in support of Navalny.
30-40 courageous people start the all-Russian rally in Far East, in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsk.
People are being arrested all over Russia (Rostov-na-Dony, Petrazovodsl.) Since we are 6.5 hours away from Moscow/St. Petersburg, & I went to the protest in SF & helped with organizing, I'm going to sleep now but will be back reporting in 6 hrs. Here, w/friends. #FreeNavalny
(still not asleep, can't) Far East, Yuzno-Sakhalinsk, 2 people detained, a group of people by the monument to... you guessed it, Lenin. Oddly enough, half of all protests will be happening today at Lenin Square or Lenin street. Don't ask.
Military vehicles and paddy-wagons in Khabarovsk, Far East. Meanwhile, in Moscow, Lyubov Sobol has been kept in a cold paddy-wagon for two hours. #FreeNavalny https://twitter.com/teamnavalnykhv/status/1384784506369060864
BREAKING: Violence in Magadan now. About 10 people detained. Women are trying to defend men being arrested. https://twitter.com/MBKhMedia/status/1384793211760218113
Meanwhile, in St.Petersburg, next to the Hermitage, the square is closed for the rehearsal of a military parade. Putin's address will be streamed from giant screens in the streets in Moscow, Novosibirsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Perm, and other cities. Orwell has nothing on Putin.
And, voila, Putin has started his speech. "Russia will always uphold and defend traditional values that have been forgotten in a number of countries"
RESUMING REPORTING! The protests & arrests continue all over Russia. The Far East is done, Siberia and Urals are about done, as of now 218 people in 42 cities were detained during rallies in support of #Navalny. European time zone is about to join, w/Moscow & St.Pb. Live report.
Ekateringburg: Approx 4,000 people demanded medical help for Navalny. Students from a university dorm were not allowed to leave the premises. Security forces & police are everywhere. The coordinator of the local Navalny center detained. Water cannon trucks are on site.
In Omsk, about 1,000 people are marching around the city and demanding freedom for Navalny, and Putin - to resign! https://twitter.com/MBKhMedia/status/1384864888380665857
In Irkutsk, about 600 people took part in the rally, chanting "We are not afraid." A blogger was detained after the protesters dispersed.
Chant in Irkutsk: "We are not afraid!" It takes a lot of courage, knowing how many people are arrested and sent to prison just for posting about rallies on social media https://twitter.com/MBKhMedia/status/1384849673874288640
Novosibirsk: Give Navalny doctors! https://twitter.com/MBKhMedia/status/1384849532773617667
In Tomsk, the rally was attended by 1,500–2,000. The police came to search Navalny's HQ. In Chelyabinsk, about 1,000. In Chita, 200 to 300 people took part in the rally. In Perm, from 500 to 1000 people.
In Perm, people chanted, "Freedom!" https://twitter.com/MBKhMedia/status/1384874746639159300
In Perm, people chanted, "Freedom!" https://twitter.com/MBKhMedia/status/1384874746639159300
In Tyumen, security forces cordoned off the area downtown. Traffic police officers forbid locals to park in this area. Two protesters detained.
In Krasnoyarsk, more than 500 people. Chants: "Putin is a thief", "Freedom to Navalny", "Freedom to political prisoners" and "Get out of Krasnoyarsk". A Navalny coordinator was detained on his way to the rally
People were dancing to police loudspeaker https://twitter.com/MBKhMedia/status/1384861819723030540
People were dancing to police loudspeaker https://twitter.com/MBKhMedia/status/1384861819723030540
More Krasnoyarsk https://twitter.com/MBKhMedia/status/1384863163741609984
In Ulan-Ude, 150 to 200 came to the rally. Later it was dispersed by security officers. In Chita, 200 to 300 people. In Kemerovo, 22 people were detained, including a journalist. One of them was beaten. They were taken in a paddy wagon to the police station, later released.
In Ufa, detentions started, police dragged people out of the crowd to paddy wagons. In Samara, the square in front of the regional government surrounded by a metal fence, guarded by police. In Bratsk,men in civilian clothes, in medical masks and black caps, detain the protesters.
In 15 minutes, Moscow and St.Petersburg join. Downtown areas are blocked in both cities. People are starting to gather around Nevsky prospect in St.P
People in St.Pb are dispersed and disoriented because police vans are blocking most streets.
Meanwhile, in Chelyabinsk
Arrests in Tumen (video), Ufa and Ekaterinburg https://twitter.com/teamnavalny_tmn/status/1384887999641571331
The photo of the day. Tumen. As Putin is addressing the nation from giant screens, the nation is chanting "Putin is a thief" and gets thrown into paddy wagons. https://twitter.com/MBKhMedia/status/1384883562139295744
Breaks my heart to read the chat in St.Pb. Metro stations closed. People are being forced off the pedestrian part of the street. They have to break into small groups. National Guard is everywhere. Yet, they are trying. My hometown.
Moscow is out. Singing "Katusha", an oldie but goodie. You can see the Red Square in the back https://twitter.com/MBKhMedia/status/1384900287677218819
Saratov: Putin is a thief! https://twitter.com/MBKhMedia/status/1384900015609589760
Moscow: Navalny! Navalny! Navalny! https://twitter.com/MBKhMedia/status/1384898903770808321
Back to Urals, a good video of Ekaterinburg, to get the idea of the scale https://twitter.com/MBKhMedia/status/1384893328626524160
325 detainees as of now, according to OVD-Info. People are being detained in St.Pb right now https://twitter.com/fontanka_news/status/1384902033090793472
No one is allowed.
Moscow, now
Go Moscow! And stay safe! https://twitter.com/MBKhMedia/status/1384904501199581185
"Away with Putin!" "Away with Putin!" (Laughter) 15 people detained in Moscow, 9 in St.P so far. https://twitter.com/MBKhMedia/status/1384903376249495558
"Freedom!" "Freedom!" Moscow https://twitter.com/MBKhMedia/status/1384902951723061250
"Putin, retire!" "Putin, retire!" St. Pb, by the Bronze Horseman, (coincidentally a symbol of tyranny after Pushkin's poem) https://twitter.com/teamnavalny_spb/status/1384904757593182209
A bit earlier in St.Pb. It's raining, metro is closed, downtown is closed. People are trying to figure out how to protest--and where. https://twitter.com/teamnavalny_spb/status/1384894567300964358
Moscow: "We want changes!" Police ask protestors to leave. No arrests as of this moment. https://twitter.com/MBKhMedia/status/1384904878020079618
Special forces get violent in St.Pb now. Arresting a young person with a Russian flag.
St.Pb. "Freedom!" "Freedom!"
Earlier today, Putin delivered his address to the nation, speaking for 1,5, with lots of numbers. He did not mention Navalny, or protests. His speech was broadcasted live on giant video screens in the streets around the country.
"Russia without Putin!" chant people in St.Pb. https://twitter.com/teamnavalny_spb/status/1384908695100817414
Split reality, Russian style. 2021.
The police begin to cordon off Tverskaya. People chant: "Stope serving monsters. Police, join the people!" https://twitter.com/MBKhMedia/status/1384910014058569736
"Freedom!" "Freedom!" Moscow now https://twitter.com/MBKhMedia/status/1384908105067155464
St.Pb
The police is reporeted to use electroshockers in St.Pb.
All public transportation has stopped operating downtown St.Petersburg. In Moscow, big crowds marching downtown. https://twitter.com/teamnavalny_mos/status/1384911716828463106
Taking a 5 min break. Pray nothing bad happens.
Back reporting. St.Pb: "It becomes dangerous on the Nevsky prospect. The riot police are moving there, be careful."--from the chat. Special forces by the City Hall. In Moscow, Julia Navalnaya, Navalny's wife, joined the protest.
Moscow: more and more people coming out. Chant: Russia without Putin! Russia without Putin! https://twitter.com/teamnavalny_mos/status/1384919158605946890
Moscow now. "For the happy Russia of the future!" (Without Putin--ZZ) https://twitter.com/teamnavalny_mos/status/1384915549809958913
St.Pb: "Freedom to Navalny!" "One for all and all for one!" (a motto from Dumas' Three Musketeers.) https://twitter.com/teamnavalny_spb/status/1384920464489910273
325 people detained in over 50 cities, according to OVD-info. Electroshocker used in St.Pb, some violence in other cities. In St.Pb, security forces won't let people stay in one place so the protest "wanders" all over town.
Riot police used electroshocker at Sennaya square in St.Pb and forced people out of it. With remarkable persistence, everyone is trying to get back to Nevsky.
4,500 in St.Pb. Meanwhile, paddy wagon procession in Moscow https://twitter.com/MBKhMedia/status/1384921042712473601
IMPORTANT: the protests are NOT being covered on TV or state-controlled social media. Navanly's HQ was streaming from another country but someone cut off the electricity in the middle of the stream. Please share: it is the only way the world will know. #FreeNavalny
Correction: the video above is of riot police vans, not paddy wagons. Navalny's wife, mother and brother joined the protestors in Moscow now. According to the Ministry of Affairs data, 6,000 people are protesting in Moscow. Their numbers may be inaccurate.
In Voronezh, police cordoned off some of the protesters in a square near the Opera and Ballet Theater and started to arrest them. Security officers also carried away a journalist. “Help, what's going on? I am a journalist "
In Cheboksary, people are detained and taken away by public transport. In Izhevsk, several people detained.
Same in Murmansk, including the coordinator of the local Navalny Anti-Corruption Fund. In Lipetsk, several hundred people are protesting, few are detained.
Same in Murmansk, including the coordinator of the local Navalny Anti-Corruption Fund. In Lipetsk, several hundred people are protesting, few are detained.
Moscow: We are the power! https://twitter.com/teamnavalny_mos/status/1384928046298304514
Just now: in St.Pb, security forces are massively using electric shocks en mase, OVD-Info reports. Earlier, the media published several videos of police shocking a young man and a young woman.
Mass arrests in St.Pb reported
Traffic stopped. St.Pb. Photos from Fontanka news.
Things I am reading the St.Pb chat are astonishing. "A column of riot police is chasing peaceful protesters. riot police trucks are rushing to the Square of Uprising." "Folks, get away from the Children's Theater!!! Riot police!" Riot police are called "cosmonauts"
Lyubov Sobol: "After spending many hours in a paddy wagon, and at the police station under Putin's portrait (I consider this a psychological torture), I was released. Court hearing tomorrow. Everyone who came out today--you're the best! Freedom to Navalny! https://twitter.com/SobolLubov/status/1384930166095458304
"I will not stop demanding freedom for Navalny and campaigning in the State Duma. They wanted to intimidate me with people in black hats? I've seen them a million times. Conscience and honor are more important. Thks to all who cared. Support me here: " https://soboll.ru/#donate "
Kirya Yarmush is arrested for 10 days. She has been accused of organizing the rally on the Internet, although she has been under house arrest without the Internet for 2.5 months. https://twitter.com/OvdInfo/status/1384928122274029569
In St.Pb, severe detentions. Security forces use electric shockers against protesters. https://twitter.com/teamnavalny_spb/status/1384933229623382016
Hide and seek continues in St. Pb. Moscow seems to be doing fine. Protests are wrapping up in other cities.
Elector shockers being used in St.Pb, video (warning: graphic, violence) https://twitter.com/novaya_gazeta/status/1384934386987044877
Another shocking video, St.Pb. A protestor breaks free, tries to run, falls, and is caught by riot police, who beat him with batons. You can hear screams of pain and riot police officers laughing. (Warning: very disturbing) https://twitter.com/novaya_gazeta/status/1384932653481308160
Two full buses of detained in St.Pb https://twitter.com/novaya_gazeta/status/1384928826359271424
St.Pb. Riot police ("cosmonauts"--or aliens?) https://twitter.com/novaya_gazeta/status/1384928384770355200
More graphic videos from St.Pb https://twitter.com/novaya_gazeta
Protestors in St.Pb snatched from inside the stores https://twitter.com/novaya_gazeta/status/1384926324490477569
SHARE!!!!! This is evidence. Please share. Electric shockers. https://twitter.com/novaya_gazeta/status/1384926283038081026
the full thread is here. https://twitter.com/ZarinaZabrisky/status/1384961947465043970
