Opposition activists detained in Rostov-on-Don

Five activists of the oppositional movement "Left-Wing Front" were detained by the police in the streets of Rostov-on-Don. Three of them were released immediately, after writing down their passport data; the other two were kept at the station for several hours.

"We were just walking down the street, when policemen approached us, stopped us, and began asking for our passports and questioning. Three guys were set free after putting down their passport data," Vladislav Ryazantsev, coordinator of "Left-Wing Front" in the Rostov Region, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to his story, he and Oleg Prudnikov were taken to the police station of the Pervomaisky District as potential violators of public order. "Already there we were told that today they received special messages with out names, prescribing to detain us," said the coordinator and added that after that they were intimidated.

The oppositional activist has, in particular, noted: "They said that we had been involved in robbing a kiosk in Lenin Street, of which I heard for the first time from them, and intimidated. They tried to search us, but I insisted that it would be done legally, that is, in the presence of witnesses. After that, they gave up the idea of personal search."

According to Mr Ryazantsev, a few hours later they were released after issuing an official warning about the inadmissibility of holding the rally. He stressed that they were outraged with the behaviour of the police. "It looks like ordinary Russians are forbidden to walk along streets, doesn't it? You immediately become a potential criminal," he concluded.

So far, the "Caucasian Knot" has no comments of the police of Rostov-on-Don on the reasons for detention of the oppositionists.