Krasnodar hosts solo pickets in support of Article 31 of Constitution of Russian Federation

Today, Theatre Square in Krasnodar hosted two solo pickets in support of Article 31 of the Constitution.

The Krasnodar Territory hosts events within the action "Strategy-31" in support of Article 31 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation on a regular basis. The opposition also conducts actions in support of Article 31, which gives citizens the right to freely and peacefully assemble to express their opinion, in other cities of Russia on every 31^st date of months, which have that date.

Announcement of the today's action in Krasnodar was placed in several hours before the event in the group of the social network "VKontakte" "Kuban! OPEN YOUR EYES!"

On the approaches to Theatre Square, police officers stopped Viktor Chirikov, the activist of the movement "Solidarity", Anna Mikhailova and Igor Kharchenko, the activists of the "Yabloko" Party, and asked them not to violate the law and not to hold pickets. This was reported by the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, who visited the place of the events.

However, the activists have decided to hold solo pickets. The enhanced duty of the police was explained by the work of the site "Live Site", which broadcasted the Olympic competitions by means of a big screen, and performances of the local bands went on the stage.

When Igor Kharchenko unfolded the poster reading: "For Freedom of Assembly! Strategy 31. Krasnodar", he was immediately approached by Yaroslav Chikov, the police district inspector of the UVD (Interior Department) of the city of Krasnodar. "I just ask you to stop your action. You can stop it and do not hamper normal people to relax, calmly, without any pickets or rallies. You do not want to be treated normally? I'm just asking you to stop," the policeman addressed Igor Kharchenko.

Having learned that the request of the officer of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) is of advisory nature only and that it is not binding, the activist of the "Yabloko" Party continued his picket. The actions of the opposition were watched by six police officers.