11 February 2019, 23:15
"March of Mothers' Rage" disrupted in Makhachkala
Natalia Zakharova, the organizer of the "March of Mothers' Rage" in Makhachkala, decided to change the format of the action to a solo picket in support of Anastasia Shevchenko, after law enforcers came to her home in her absence and frightened her children.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Dagestani activists called on residents of Makhachkala to come out to the "March of Mothers' Rage" on February 10 to support the Rostov activist Anastasia Shevchenko. The Makhachkala Mayoralty refused to sanction the action; nevertheless, the square in front of the Avar Theatre is a sort of the city's Hyde Park, and for actions of up to 100 people no authorities' sanction is required, Ms Zakharova told the "Caucasian Knot".
Anastasia Shevchenko, a member of the Federal Council of the "Open Russia", was detained on January 21 after a search of her home in Rostov-on-Don. During her arrest, her 17-year-old disabled daughter died in hospital. On February 7, the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" declared Shevchenko to be a political prisoner.
On February 10, law enforcers came home to Natalia Zakharova, the organizer of the "March of Mothers' Rage". At the time of the visit, Natalia was not at home – she had already left for the place of the announced action.
"Only my young children were at home. Policemen frightened them; and they were hysterical. Policemen would not leave, when they were told that the mother was not at home. Then, some police boss called me and said that the action was illegal," Natalia Zakharova told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.
After the warning, the woman decided to change the format of the action in order to avoid "problems with the authorities."
"Instead of a march, I decided to hold a solo picket, because the authorities suddenly decided that the march was illegal. So that no one who came to the rally had any problems, I would hold a solo picket," Ms Zakharova said.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on February 10, 2019 at 03:26 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Magomed Akhmedov, Patimat Makhmudova Source: CK correspondents
