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Human rights activists, police discuss security at opposition rally

Lukin said public monitors wearing special badges will be present in all places of the march and rally

MOSCOW, February 3 (Itar-Tass) —— Human rights activists met with Moscow police chief on Thursday to discuss security at the opposition march and rally on February 4 in which organizers expect up to 50 thousand participants.

“We shall work to ensure that everything goes peacefully in compliance with the Constitution which calls to protect citizens including their right to peaceful marches,” Russian Ombudsman Vladimir Lukin said after a meeting with Moscow police chief Vladimir Kolokoltsev.

“Such mass events are often accompanied by provocation attempts related to frictions between various participating groups. It all demands monitoring and sometimes interference to ensure security,” the ombudsman said.

Lukin said public monitors wearing special badges will be present in all places of the march and rally. “It is very good as the presence of independent monitors promotes contacts between law enforcers and rally organizers and helps prevent potential dangers,” he said.

Moscow Commissioner for Children’s Rights Yevgeny Bunimovich said minors shall not be allowed to the event both because of bitter frosts and a big crowd.

However he admitted it is the responsibility of parents and it would be hard to bar teenagers from the event. “They are young people who go to the polls at the age of 18,” he said.