MOSCOW, January 21. /TASS/. The Russian law enforcement are ready to ensure public order during unsanctioned street protests on January 23 and to prosecute those calling on citizens to join them, First Deputy Interior Minister Alexander Gorovoy said on Thursday during a session of the Russian Interior Ministry’s Main Directorate for Moscow.
"As of today, territorial units of the Russian Interior Ministry in [Russian] regions are getting ready to protect public order during the rallies on Saturday, the date announced by certain quasi-politicians through their structural units for unsanctioned rallies all over the country. We have all legal grounds to take administrative action against those calling for [participation in the protests] in person, online, by sending written addresses, before the event takes place," he said. Gorovoy stressed that the current Russian law allows Russian law enforcement officers to do that.
Earlier, supporters of Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny spread calls online for attending unsanctioned rallies in his support. Law enforcement bodies have been told to take preventive measures, and if there are grounds for it, to take administrative action against those responsible, the Russian Prosecutor General's Office informed TASS. The Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media will restrict access to unlawful information. The press service of the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office added that people who are calling for unlawful actions have been warned that they are breaking the law.