Oleg Shein claims being unlawfully detained

Oleg Shein, ex-candidate for the position of Mayor of Astrakhan, the leader of the Regional Branch of the "Spravedlivaya Rossiya" (Fair Russia) Party, called his detention cowardice and lawlessness of the authorities. At present, Oleg Shein has been released, and three of his supporters remain at the police station.

Let us remind you that today, in Astrakhan, along with Oleg Shein, policemen detained several of his supporters.

"When I was walking along the embankment with friends, I was approached by Verblyudov, a staff member of the administration of the Kirov District of Astrakhan, ex-Chairman of one of the precinct election commissions (PECs) during the recent election of Mayor of Astrakhan. He demanded to stop the event. I asked him what kind of event was in question. He did not answer. Then, we were approached by police officer Vasin, who called our walk a political march," Oleg Shein told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent by phone.

According to the leader of the Regional Branch of the "Spravedlivaya Rossiya" Party, after that phrase, he and his friends have stopped their walk. Then, policemen approached them and began to detain Oleg Shein. His friends tried to prevent that, believing the actions of the policemen were unlawful.

Oleg Shein reported that three his supporters, who tried to protect him, had also been detained.

"The act committed by the law enforcement agents and the administration official is a symbol of cowardice. They want to deprive us of the freedom to walk along streets. It's unlawful. We won't let it to be continued," Oleg Shein stated.

According to eyewitnesses, Sergey Kozhanov, the coordinator of the Other Russia in Astrakhan, Oleg Shein rendered no resistance to the policemen. According to Sergey Kozhanov, Oleg Shein is charged of organizing unsanctioned political march. "I was not allowed to film everything on camera. They beat me on my hands. I've got bruises," Sergey Kozhanov has stressed.

Officers from the Astrakhan police confirmed the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent the information on the detention "for illegal action in Astrakhan." However, the police refused to comment in details.