17:11, 9 September 2003

Picket near Solovetsky stone devoted to Chechnya's Independence Day

Seven members of the Russian Movement for Chechen Independence demonstrated in central Moscow on September 6. The protest took place at the site of the Solovetsky stone, a memorial situated in front of the building of the Federal Security Service on Lubyanka Square. The day of the republic's independence (the anniversary of the declaration of Chechen independence on September 6, 1991) coincided with the Moscow City Day celebrations.

The participants of the protest carried banners with slogans such as "Russia - freedom! Chechnya - independence!", "Chechnya will become free and sovereign! For our and your freedom!", "Russian invaders: out of Chechnya!", "Chechnya - independence", and "Dear Moscow residents: we congratulate you on the anniversary of the independence of Ichkeria!" The participants informed journalists they had applied for a permit to hold the demonstration, but the Moscow City authorities had turned the request down. Members of the police occasionally approached the protesters but did not speak with them.

Source: The Chechen Times Website