Moscow law enforcement arrest protesters opposing police violence

Law enforcement have begun arresting protesters for participating in single-person demonstrations opposing police violence outside of the police headquarters in Moscow, OVD-Info reports.

At least 16 people have been arrested, according to Novaya Gazeta,including a number of people who were picketing in support of jailed journalist Ilya Azar.

The rally against police violence began after the Russian Guard’s special forces in Yekaterinburg shot and killed a 27-year-old man for stealing four rolls of wallpaper.

Eyewitnesses told Meduza that pickets against police abuse are also taking place in Yekaterinburg.

• On May 28, Moscow’s Tver District Court sentenced Novaya Gazeta journalist Ilya Azar to 15 days administrative arrest, after finding him guilty of repeatedly violating the law on public gatherings. Azar was arrested for holding a single-person picket in support of arrested “Police Ombudsman” administrator Vladimir Vorontsov on May 26.