Russian prosecutor classifies the protest of its citizens against the invasion of Ukraine as “extremist”

The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office warned that participation in the protests called by the Russian opposition against the invasion of Ukraine ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin in Ukraine will be described as “extremists” and punished accordingly.

“Many of these calls (to protest) come from organizations banned for their extremist activities. By following these calls, citizens not only become potential victims of provocations, but also become involved in the activities of radical organizations”, the entity said in a statement.

The Attorney General’s Office pointed out that participation in this type of demonstration is punishable by law for “participation in an extremist organization”.

“In conditions of an unprecedented information attack against Russia, calls for citizens to participate in supposedly peaceful anti-war protests are spread on the Internet”, added the Prosecutor’s Office.

Last Monday, supporters of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, currently in jail, called on Russians for “civil disobedience” against the war in Ukraine.

The Russian government declaredextremists” and outlawed both the Anti-Corruption Fund, founded by Navalni, and its network of offices, after which his closest associates were forced to leave the country, but continue to denounce the Putin regime from abroad.

Despite the fact that the Russian authorities have already threatened with repression Russians who oppose the war in Ukraine, thousands of people continue to take to the streets to protest.

According to the OVD-info portal, an organization specialized in monitoring arrests and defending detainees, the Russian police have made a total of 7,640 arrests since February 24, and documented multiple cases of police abuse.