Rights defenders report numerous complaints about law enforcers' actions in Sochi

The people detained on April 21 for taking part in an unsanctioned rally in support of Alexei Navalny in Sochi are massively reporting their complaints to the hotline about law enforcers' unjustified actions, use of force, and threats, human rights defenders inform.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on April 21, various cities of Russia, including southern regions of the country, held rallies in support of Alexei Navalny. The actions were not sanctioned by the authorities, and many activists were detained.

On April 21, in Sochi, law enforcers detained about 80 activists for taking part in an unsanctioned rally in support of Navalny, said Alexei Mandrigelya, an activist of the "OVD-Info" human rights organization.

The detainees, who have turned to the hotline of the "OVD-Info", complained about law enforcers' unjustified actions, Mr Mandrigelya has stated. In particular, they reported pressure and threats. "Everyone was fingerprinted and then released without a protocol. Several people refused from fingerprinting; they were kept for longer <...>. They threatened to use physical force in case of disobedience. They threatened with a criminal prosecution, if they refuse from fingerprinting. <...> At first, they even wouldn't let an advocate into the police station," Alexei Mandrigelya analyzed the situation in Sochi on April 21.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 1, 2021 at 07:32 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.