The United States has condemned the detention of protesters against corruption across Russia, has called for their release, and has promised to monitor the situation.
“The United States strongly condemns the detention of hundreds of peaceful protesters throughout Russia on March 26. Detaining peaceful protesters, human rights observers, and journalists is an affront to core democratic values,” acting U.S. Department of State spokesman Mark Toner said in his written reply to Interfax.
“We were troubled to hear of the arrest of opposition figure Alexei Navalny upon arrival at the demonstration, as well as the police raids on the anti-corruption organization he heads,” he said.
“The United States will monitor this situation, and we call on the government of Russia to immediately release all peaceful protesters,” he said.
Unpermitted protests against corruption took place in Moscow and some other Russian cities on March 26. Several hundreds of persons were detained in Moscow for breaching the peace and provoking the police.
