Peskov: teenagers were promised money for participating in rallies against corruption

Press Secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov said that the underage participants in the protests that took place last Sunday were promised money if they were detained.

“There is information that minor participants in actions in Moscow were promised monetary rewards if they were detained. There is some evidence for this. If law enforcement authorities consider it necessary, confirmation of this will be provided to the public, ” quoted Peskov as saying. RIA Novosti

The presidential press secretary noted that the Kremlin respects the right of people to express their civil position, but when it takes place in the format "which is provided for by the current legislation."

“But we cannot show the same respect for those who deliberately mislead people and who did it yesterday and the day before, provoking illegal actions. We cannot respect those who deliberately misled minors, including children, promising, among other things, some kind of awards. And sometimes putting their lives in danger,” he stressed.

Answering a question about why the federal channels practically did not notice the mass action in the center of the capital, Peskov said that the Kremlin does not influence the work of the media.

“Whatever TV channels show, this in no way limits the ability of people to receive any information,” the Kremlin spokesman concluded.

On March 26, mass rallies against corruption were held in Moscow and other Russian cities. Only in the capital, the police detained more than a thousand people, among whom were minors. After the action in Nizhny Novgorod, five parents of schoolchildren who were detained by the police were issued protocols under Article 5.35 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of Russia - on failure to fulfill their obligations to raise minors.

Earlier, Alexei Navalny promised to provide legal assistance to anyone who is illegally detained in Russian cities at anti-corruption rallies on March 26. In his blog, he stated that each detention would be appealed to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).

“To everyone: if the policeman is so careless that he detains you on March 26th, then I promise to sue you 10 thousand euros,” he wrote .