01:27, 2 May 2019

"Monstration" action in Makhachkala turns into trials and statements about beatings

Magomed Magomedov, Marat Ismailov and Hadjimurat Abakor (from left to right) fined after the "Monstration" action in Makhachkala held on May 1, 2019. Photo by Ruslan Magomedov

The first ever "Monstration" action in Makhachkala has ended in administrative cases and its participants' reports about beating. The authorities suppressed the action, among slogans of which were declarations of love for cats.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that today law enforcers detained eight participants of the "Monstration" action in Makhachkala.

The "Monstration" is a mass artistic action in the form of a demonstration with slogans and banners. For the most part, the content of banners looks extremely absurd and apolitical, says the "Monstration" account on the Instagram in Makhachkala. It notes that the today's action was the first "Monstration" in Makhachkala; while the first ever "Monstration" action in Russia took place in 2004 in Novosibirsk.

Six participants of the "Monstration" were brought to the court of Makhachkala; cases against them were initiated for "organizing of and participating in an unauthorized rally", reports the Telegram channel "Protest Apology".

According to Olga Moskvitina, one of the participants in the action, law enforcers used physical force during detentions.

"Everyone was beaten up during detention; I have a sore arm, but mostly they beat up everyone's kidneys in order not to leave traces," she wrote on the Twitter.

According to the participants, the posters of the "Monstration" were with apolitical, ironic and absurd content. For example, they read: "And I actually like cats", "We bring happiness to people" and "This is our swamp".

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 1, 2019 at 10:08 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.