At least eight people demonstrating against proposed constitutional changes in Russia were detained in St. Petersburg on February 1. Police in riot gear targeted a few dozen activists whom they deemed to be violating public order. Protesters, some holding handwritten signs, had rallied against constitutional changes put forward by President Vladimir Putin on January 15. The draft proposals are seen by many as laying the groundwork for Putin's future political role after his current presidential term ends in 2024.
Watchdog
Saturday 1 February 2020
An unknown assailant has set fire to a car belonging to RFE/RL correspondent Halyna Tereshchuk on a street in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv. According to witnesses, a masked individual approached the car, placed something on the windshield of the vehicle, set fire to it, and then fled. Local police have begun an investigation.
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