MOSCOW -- Moscow authorities have denied a pro-Kremlin youth party's request to hold a blood-donor rally on a central square in the capital, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.
Young Russia had petitioned city officials to be allowed to meet on Triumfalnaya Square on July 31 to collect blood.
In mid-June, the opposition movement Strategy 31 announced it would hold a demonstration on the same square on July 31 in support of Article 31 of the Russian Constitution, which guarantees the right to free assembly.
In the past year, Strategy 31 has staged protests throughout Russia during the months that have 31 days. None of their protests has been officially sanctioned by the authorities.
In May, dozens of Strategy 31 activists were detained after a protest in Moscow was forcibly broken up by police. Several protesters were hospitalized with injuries.
Young Russia had petitioned city officials to be allowed to meet on Triumfalnaya Square on July 31 to collect blood.
In mid-June, the opposition movement Strategy 31 announced it would hold a demonstration on the same square on July 31 in support of Article 31 of the Russian Constitution, which guarantees the right to free assembly.
In the past year, Strategy 31 has staged protests throughout Russia during the months that have 31 days. None of their protests has been officially sanctioned by the authorities.
In May, dozens of Strategy 31 activists were detained after a protest in Moscow was forcibly broken up by police. Several protesters were hospitalized with injuries.