Actions in support of Astrakhan hunger-strikers are held in many cities across Russia

Today, Pushkin Square in Moscow was the venue of a rally in support of the political hunger-strikers in Astrakhan. They were also supported by activists of the protest movement in Tula and St Petersburg.

The participants of the April 14 action in Moscow stood at the monument to Pushkin with posters "Oleg Shein! We are with you!", "People are dying in Astrakhan!", "Astrakhan lives for your and our freedom", "Swindlers! Don't become murderers!" and "Astrakhan falsifiers - to justice!" The protesters chanted slogans: "Astrakhan, we are with you!" and "Russia will be free!"

As reported by Nadezhda Mityushkina, a member of the oppositional movement named "Solidarity", the picket was coordinated with Moscow authorities. According to her story, the event was attended by activists of the "Solidarity" and those who volunteered to support the Astrakhan hunger-strikers.

The action was attended by the coordinator of the "Left-Wing Front" Sergey Udaltsov. According to his story, the action was about 300 strong. Having expressed solidarity with the Astrakhan hunger-strikers, the audience in Pushkin Square discussed the action "March of Millions" to be held on May 6, the "Interfax" reports.

The oppositional rally in Pushkin Square passed without incidents, the RIA "Novosti" reports.

Today, a one-day hunger strike in support of Oleg Shein is also taking place in Tula. It was initiated by the Tula Committee "For Fair Elections". The hunger strike was held in the premises of the regional branch of the "Yabloko" Party.

The hunger-strikers are Vladimir Timakov, a Deputy of the City Duma; Vladimir Dorokhov, the coordinator of the Tula Branch of the "Yabloko" Party; journalist Valery Otstavnykh and other members of the committee, the "Tula News" Agency reports with reference to Valery Otstavnykh.

In St Petersburg, Mikhail Shmakov, an activist of the protest movement, on April 12 held a solo picket at the Mariinsky Palace in support of the Astrakhan hunger strike. Mikhail Shmakov also announced his own three-day hunger strike in support of Oleg Shein's demands, the "Peterburzhets.ru" reports.