Amnesty International: scale of arrests is Russia unjustifiedDecember 8, 2011 - 18:10 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Amnesty International has called on the Russian authorities “to respect the right to peaceful protests” ahead of rallies against alleged electoral fraud due to be held in Moscow and other 78 Russian cities, the organization said on its website on Wednesday, Dec 7. Some 1,000 people have so far been detained across Russia in demonstrations against suspected vote fraud at Sunday's parliamentray polls. “The scale of arrests has not been in any way justified,” said John Dalhuisen, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Europe and Central Asia. "We fear that the Russian police are simply quashing opposition protest, no matter how peaceful.” The human rights watchdog also called on the Russian authorities “to rein in the police." Over 25,000 people in Facebook and more than 16,000 users in Russia’s leading social network, VKontakte, have so far said that they will attend a sanctioned protest in downtown Moscow, planned for Saturday. Opposition leader Vladimir Milov warned on Thursday in an interview with the Moscow-based Ekho Moskvy radio station there could be bloodshed at the rally and warned people to stay away. City authorities have cautioned the Solidarnost opposition group that they would face charges if more than the 300 people sanctioned for the march turned up. The square was closed off for what officials say is sewage repair work on Wednesday, RIA Novosti reported. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Ameriabank's Trade Finance portfolio enriched with four prestigious awards from EBRD and IFC Ameriabank received the awards from international financial institutions in recognition of its trade finance operations. Armenian Economy Minister to make trip to UAE May 20-22 A delegation led by Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan will travel to the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi on May 20-22 Armenia Security Council chief traveling to Qatar Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will travel on a working visit to Qatar. Pillars installed in Armenian border village of Kirants In the Armenian village of Kirants, three border markers have been installed, and border guards stand next to them. |