Russian Opposition Demands Government Stop Repression Of Activists

The statement comes as detained activist Leonid Razvozzhayev claims he was tortured when he was forcibly abducted in Ukraine and returned to Moscow this week.

The Russian opposition is demanding that the Kremlin stop what it regards as repressive measures against street protest activists.

The newly elected Russian Opposition Coordinating Council said in a statement on October 24 that the government had switched to methods of direct pressure on its opponents, violating the provisions of Russian and international law.

The statement was posted on the LiveJournal.ru blog of opposition figure Aleksei Navalny, a leading member of the council.

The statement comes as detained activist Leonid Razvozzhayev claims he was tortured when he was forcibly abducted in Ukraine and returned to Moscow this week.

The Russian authorities are investigating allegations that opposition figures were plotting mass unrest during anti-Kremlin demonstrations.

The Opposition Coordinating Council was elected by opposition supporters in an Internet vote earlier this month.

Based on reporting by Reuters and Interfax