On 4 October, in central Moscow, the police detained around 60–65 participants in a authorised rally organised by the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF) to mark the anniversary of the 1993 political crisis. The arrests began after the crowd chanted slogans such as «Freedom for political prisoners», «For fair elections» and «Down with the tsar». The CPRF reported that some of the detainees had been released.
Briefly about the main points
- The Moscow authorities have authorised the CPRF’s rally near the Krasnopresnenskaya checkpoint.
- The participants moved on from the commemorative theme to topical political slogans.
- The Communist Party of the Russian Federation estimates that around 60 people have been detained.
- Other media outlets, citing the Communists, reported that 65 people had been detained.
- The party has announced that it will provide legal assistance to people who have been taken to police stations.
The commemorative event began near the Krasnopresnenskaya checkpoint
The event in the Krasnopresnenskaya Zastava area was dedicated to those who lost their lives during the political crisis of 3–4 October 1993. The Communist Party of the Russian Federation had announced it in advance as a meeting between MPs and voters, a march along Druzhinnikovskaya Street and the laying of flowers at the memorial.
At the start, party representatives spoke about the events of 1993 and criticised the then president Boris Yeltsin and the West. Estimates of the number of participants vary — from a few hundred to around two thousand people.
On 4 October 1993, Russian troops, acting on Yeltsin’s orders, fired on the parliament building, known as the White House, from tanks. According to official figures, more than 120 people were killed in those events.
The participants chanted slogans about the elections, freedom and repression
Subsequently, some of those present began chanting slogans relating to the current political situation: «We want freedom», «Down with Roskomnadzor», «No to political repression», «Freedom for political prisoners» and «Down with the party of swindlers and thieves». The Associated Press also confirmed that chants of «For fair elections» and «Down with the tsar» were heard at the rally.
OVD-Info, citing ASTRA, linked the start of the harsh arrests to the chant «Down with the Tsar». However, the slogan itself makes no direct reference to this Vladimir Putin.
Those arrested were taken to several police stations
According to CPRF, it was mainly young participants who were loaded into police vans, whilst around 60 people were taken to various police stations across Moscow. *Kommersant*, citing party representatives, put the figure at 65. The Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF) stated that its city committee and central leadership would assist those detained and seek the release of those still held at police stations.
OVD-Info reported two waves of arrests. According to eyewitnesses, in one incident, security forces kicked a man whilst he was on the ground, whilst another woman was grabbed by the hair.
