Flash mob performers detained in Krasnodar

Four participants of a flash mob against falsifications at the Russian presidential election were taken to the local UVD (Interior Department).

By the morning on March 5, when the Election Commission of the Krasnodar Territory had processed 98.45 percent of protocols from the polling stations, Vladimir Putin was in the lead with almost 64 percent of the votes. The voter turnout at the presidential election in the Territory made 70.8 percent.

Today, the residents of the Krasnodar Territory, who disagree with the election outcomes, gathered in front of the territorial administration. When the audience – about 40 young men with white ribbons on their clothes – tried to hold hands, Colonel Pokhodenko told them that they violated Article 20.2 of the Russian Code of Administrative Offences (violation of the established order of mass actions) and asked the protesters to present IDs and proceed to a car to register their personal data, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

Dmitry Shevchenko, the member of the "Ecological Watch for Northern Caucasus", was the first persons forced to the UAZ police van, then, he was followed by two musicians from Saint Petersburg, who held in their hands yellow poster reading: "Our Hearts Demand Changes", and by an activist Irina Sergeeva. The protesters tried to block the way to the police UAZ; however, they were dispersed by the police.

Alexei Todorenko, Chairman of the NGO "For Krasnodar", was detained when he gathered protesters to discuss their further actions.

"Four persons – two women and two men, including Todorenko, were detained," Ilya Shakalov, Spokesman of the Krasnodar UVD has explained to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. "Two administrative materials are to be issued against him: a violation of rules of rallies and disobedience to police. Initial flash mob developed into a picket. And from picket, the event has grown into a rally, and that fact violates the law. And that violation was suppressed."