Moscow prosecutors open investigation against 15 independent politicians, ahead of Saturday's unauthorized protest

Moscow prosecutors have launched an administrative investigation against 15 independent City Duma candidates who have called for an unauthorized protest outside City Hall on Saturday, July 27, against the authorities’ refusal to register them on September’s ballot. Officials have not specified what the specific misdemeanor charges are.

According to Article 28.7 of Russia’s Administrative Code, an administrative investigation can only be launched in response to a specific list of offenses that does not include violations of the laws on public assemblies. These investigations are permitted, however, in cases of offenses against Russia’s election and referendum laws.

Prosecutors say they have warned the candidates that unlawful actions are unacceptable.

Moscow’s unregistered independent City Duma candidates and their supporters plan to stage an unauthorized protest outside City Hall on Saturday, July 27. Earlier this week, the authorities sentenced anti-corruption activist and opposition politician Alexey Navalny, who announced the demonstration at a rally last weekend, to 30 days in jail.

On Wednesday, July 24, Moscow’s Investigative Committee opened a criminal case in response to the opposition’s protests against election officials’ refusal to register dozens of independent candidates in upcoming City Duma elections. According to the Moscow Investigative Committee’s head office, “the participants of one of the movements have organized deliberately illegal and unpermitted rallies and public pickets at buildings and Moscow Election Commission premises, with the goal of exerting pressure on members of the city’s election commission and local district election commissions.” Officials say election commission members have also been threatened with violence.