Russia: CWI supporters arrested during protests

Police target socialists at protest camp – Urgent protests needed!

Two members of the CWI in Moscow have today been arrested while participating in round-the-clock protests against Putin’s rule which have taken place in Moscow since 6 May.

The camp was first located at ‘Chisti Prudi’ in Moscow, until a judge decided to give the camp until 12 noon last Wednesday to clear the site.

The riot police, however, moved in at 5am, forcing the protesters to decamp to another part of the ‘Boulevard ring-road’, by the ‘Barricades’ metro station.

The camp is increasing self-organised, with an assembly discussing and taking decisions each evening.

It is also becoming more politicised, with the central information centre (‘info-centre’) organising discussions, producing leaflets and other agitation literature.

Early Friday evening, 18 May, police entered the camp, and went directly to the information centre. They arrested two CWI members, Dmitrii Yerokhin and Kostya Zamurenko, and seized all the literature and equipment at the info-centre.

Many of those protesters detained this week were released by police almost as soon as their details were taken.

But those detained who are regarded as ‘organisers’ have been given jail sentences of 5-15 days. There is concern that the police will now be harsh against the CWI comrades.

All CWI supporters are urged to urgently phone the police station where Dmitrii Yerokhin and Kostya Zamurenko are held and to demand their immediate release.

Telephone numbers: +7 499 2567575

+7 499 256 7511

+7 499 2590075

Please also send email protests to the Russian embassy in London: www.rusemb.org.uk