In a series of events that highlight the increasing suppression of dissent in Russia, over 500 individuals have been arrested across 32 cities for laying flowers in memory of the assassinated opposition leader, Alexey Navalny, between February 16 and 19. These arrests took place with a significant number occurring in St. Petersburg and Moscow. Notably, at least six men in St. Petersburg received military summons papers following their arrest at these memorials, with summonses handed to at least 8 detainees near memorials. Reports indicate that detainees are being coerced into signing up for military service, with threats of physical harm such as broken fingers if they refuse. Some are reportedly being sent directly to the front lines in Ukraine. The situation has drawn international attention, with human rights activists and media outlets highlighting the draconian measures being employed by Russian authorities to quell any form of dissent or memorialization of Navalny.
Update: Moscow police deny that they ordered officers to “identify” individuals bringing flowers to memorials honoring Navalny. Human rights activists also expressed their doubt about the authenticity of the document reportedly showing the order. https://t.co/T1CCWsX2Nv https://t.co/SW2qBrnFl5
Russians mourning opposition leader Alexei Navalny face arrest and deployment to the front lines. Follow: @AFpost https://t.co/y9Bty8IQdr
Moscow authorities have reportedly confiscated copies of an issue of the newspaper Sobesednik which featured an image of Alexey Navalny on the front page. https://t.co/RMwDoB6Yyf
Russia orders Navalny mourners to ‘register for military service’ https://t.co/msFY12I4HO https://t.co/msFY12I4HO
"In today’s Russia, even laying flowers and mourning victims of political repression is an act of courage." https://t.co/3wPXTOMtLV
Five days after the news of his death Muscovites are continuing to lay flowers in memory of Alexei Navalny. This is the Solovetsky Stone memorial to victims of political repression opposite FSB headquarters. https://t.co/w1SvUpsubp
In #Russia, the police detained more than 400 people on Feb.16-19 for laying flowers in memory of the assassinated opposition leader Alexey @Navalny. Now the detainees are reportedly being forced to go to the military enlistment offices to be sent to the front lines in #Ukraine. https://t.co/ZnhTVQvzdf
Detainees at the memorials to Navalny have been summoned to the military recruitment centers Russians who laid flowers at memorials in memory of Alexei Navalny were summoned to military recruitment offices. The summonses were handed to at least to 8 detainees near memorials to… https://t.co/pt1jaW4HEx
In #Russia, 350 people have been arrested in 32 for attending vigils mourning the death of Alexey Navalny. Can see a piece of Navalny's legacy in this: Russians know the extreme penalties for dissidence now; large numbers did it anyway. https://t.co/6oHKenRY1e
⚡️ Media: Russians attending Navalny vigils reportedly given draft summonses. https://t.co/6f6FtU3kG7
Men arrested for attending a memorial to Navalny in St.Petersburg are given draft notices upon release. A cruel, but predictable turn of events https://t.co/tbZC0lmxhB
Leave a flower for Navalny, get arrested and come home to a military summons. That's the approach St. Petersburg police have taken with at least half a dozen mourners. https://t.co/SCzvGS5voX (Note: some are being called to verify their personal data, and this appears to be…
At least six people have been served military summonses after they were arrested for placing flowers in memory of Alexey Navalny in St. Petersburg. https://t.co/hfLgAeh3BY
At least six men in St Petersburg have received military summons papers after being arrested while laying flowers for Alexei Navalny The Russian authorities seem intent on making their country ever more dystopian by the day https://t.co/bxEJ93AldC
🚨 Russia: Over 500 people arrested for laying flowers in memory of the assassinated Alexey Navalny. Now, while in detention, they are being forced to go to the front lines in Ukraine as cannon fodder. "If we don't sign, they will break our fingers." https://t.co/YMYveNc2i2 https://t.co/dxFBQo7nWa