Correspondent Erkka Mikkonen says that there were huge security forces in the center of Moscow. People were caught randomly.
In Russia, anti-war protests against Ukraine have taken place in several cities today. ‘s correspondent following the protests in the center of Moscow Erkka Mikkonen estimates that many were intimidated to come to the scene of the demonstration.
– The demonstrations did not have a single organizer, but people have invited each other on social media to walk to the city center. There was not even a single, exact agreed place. People had gathered a little everywhere.
– People have a huge fear that if they invite you to demonstrate in a place, it can cause difficulties. The police have already caught people on such an invitation, because social media is being monitored here, Mikkonen said.
According to the NGO OVD, more than 4,300 people were arrested on Sunday during protests across the country. During Finnish early Sunday evening, arrests had been made in a total of 56 cities around the country.
According to Mikkonen, the entire Moscow city center was full of police and other security forces. Many traditional demonstration sites were completely closed. The Red Square was also closed.
– Pushkin Square, where there have usually been demonstrations, was already fenced in advance and there were a huge number of police officers.
Mikkonen followed the demonstration on Manegeia Square, where people had gathered. Individual protesters had anti-war signs and a few shouted anti-war strikes. They were quickly caught.
– There were a few signs, but as soon as the sign appeared, that person was arrested. Anyway, if someone was left standing somewhere, he was arrested.
According to Mikkonen’s assessment, many of the arrests seemed to be quite random.
– The purpose of the police was just to prevent anything from happening. Police arrested people for no reason.
The fragmentation of the demonstrations speaks to the prevailing mood
The manege square was also emptied of journalists gathered at the site. However, Mikkonen did not see any use of violence against them. Mikkonen estimated that some of the protesters were hard-pressed, but most of what he saw was calm.
In any case, the fragmentation of the demonstration reflects the prevailing mood in Russia on Friday after the law was passed.
Under the new law, spreading “false information” about the activities of the Russian military could result in years of imprisonment. These are therefore facts that Russia officially denies.
According to some interpretations, the law could also be used against anti-war protests, as Russia is not officially waging war in Ukraine but is conducting a “special military operation” there.
Already under Russian law, demonstrations are prohibited without prior permission.
According to Mikkonen, the confused form and fragmentation of the demonstrations partly contribute to the fact that people were scared. However, there were few participants, estimated at hundreds or at most a few thousand.
– A small number, I think, tells of people’s fear and paralysis.
According to Mikkonen, the general mood is that people do not really believe in their ability to influence.
– People are paralyzed by the situation. They also wondered the consequences of public opposition to the war.