Russian opposition to hold new protest march

Russia’s opposition was set to hold a new protest march in central Moscow yesterday, despite a ban by authorities, a week before controversial regional polls in the capital.

Demonstrations have been held on an almost weekly basis since July after authorities denied most opposition candidates registration in the elections for city parliament next Sunday.

Moscow prosecutors warned that the latest rally, called by Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny for 2 pm (1100 GMT) on part of the city’s Boulevard Ring, was not authorised and participants would “bear responsibility.”

On social networks, Muscovites shared a photo of water cannons allegedly stationed along the route of the protest, dubbed the “March against political repressions.”

Opposition politicians had requested permission to hold the march but were turned down.

In the past, the Moscow polls have generated little public interest.

But this summer they have spiralled into the biggest political crisis since the wave of protests in 2011-2012 against Vladimir Putin’s return to the Kremlin.

Authorities have launched a wide-ranging probe into “unrest” which could lead to long prison sentences for a number of suspects and made thousands of arrests.