- Title: Russian bands show solidarity with jailed protesters at Moscow concert
- Date: 18th September 2019
- Summary: ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** ACTIVISTS SELLING T-SHIRTS AND BADGES IN SUPPORT OF JAILED PROTESTERS VARIOUS OF BADGES AND STICKERS SHOWING IMAGE OF KREMLIN AND BARBED WIRE MAN LOOKING AT T-SHIRTS (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) POLITICAL ACTIVIST, MARIA (SURNAME NOT GIVEN), SAYING: "We do it to distribute such political symbols (designs on t-shirts), so that people wearing T-shirts like these can be seen in the streets. Moreover, a week ago we were detained wearing t-shirts like these, on the election day." WOMEN LOOKING AT T-SHIRT PLACARD SHOWING INFORMATION ON HOW TO DONATE MONEY TO SUPPORT JAILED PROTESTERS (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) CONCERT VISITOR, SEMBRA (SURNAME NOT GIVEN), SAYING: "I came here to support those who are arrested under 212 (Rule of Criminal Code - participation in mass unrest), to buy the merchandise, to make a donation. I bought a T-shirt with a logo that is easily recognisable nowadays. I think what is happening now is incredibly sad, I hope that it ends someday. At least we, as the civil society, must react to things like that and express our solidarity." T-SHIRTS IN PLASTIC WRAPPING VARIOUS OF PLACARD FOR SALE ON CHARITY AUCTION "MEDIAZONA" NEWS SITE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF SERGEI SMIRNOV SELLING PLACARD AT AUCTION, SMIRNOV SAYING (Russian): "Twenty five thousand roubles ($450 approx.), three. Sold, thank you." AUDIENCE APPLAUDING (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) "MEDIAZONA" NEWS SITE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, SERGEI SMIRNOV, SAYING: "Public pressure is needed. Each time I see the same thing - people asking: 'Could it happen in our courts? Could the trial take one day only? Could all the appeals by the defender be refused?' We want to show that the system is inferior and amend it." VARIOUS OF PROTESTER WHO WAS DETAINED AND SET FREE AFTER TRIAL, VALERIY KOSTENOK, SPEAKING AT CONCERT YULIA USTINOVA, SISTER OF JAILED NOVICE ACTOR PAVEL USTINOV, WATCHING AUDIENCE APPLAUDING (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) PROTESTER WHO WAS DETAINED AND SET FREE AFTER TRIAL, VALERIY KOSTENOK, SAYING: "Unfortunately, tragedies unite people, especially in Russia. Not only political tragedies, but also ones such as fires or some other tragedies, God forbid. It is the same in politics as well, the society unites when people can face real jail time. I was helped as well."
- Embargoed: 2nd October 2019 10:09
- Keywords: Moscow case protest in Russia charity auction protest support Ustinov actor jailed novice actor
- Location: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- City: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- Country: Russia
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA002AX6Q5H5
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Russian political activists and friends and relatives of people detained during protests this summer in Moscow gathered on Tuesday (September 17) for a concert and charity auction in support of those still in detention.
Proceeds from the auction - which included rare placards, books and banners used in the protests - will be transferred to human rights organisations to support activists who await trial or have been sentenced to prison terms.
One case that received particular attention on Russian social media was that of 23-year-old novice actor Pavel Ustinov, who was sentenced on Monday (September 16) to three and a half years in jail for dislocating a police officer's shoulder.
Ustinov was arrested during an Aug. 3 rally in Moscow. He denied the charges and said he had not even taken part in the protest.
Ustinov's sister Yulia said she did not consider his trial fair as not all the evidence had been considered.
Activists and other attendees at the concert said they hoped to see increasing public pressure against the detentions.
Police arrested more than two thousand people at protests over the summer that flared after more than a dozen opposition candidates were barred from taking part in a local election in Moscow that was held this month.
Several were given jail terms of up to three and a half years for assaulting police officers, convictions the opposition says are part of a broader crackdown aimed at stymying its activities.
The authorities say many of this summer's opposition protests were illegal because they were not formally authorised and that people were prosecuted for breaking the law.
(Production: Alexander Reshetnikov, Dmitry Turlyun) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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