Moscow’s prosecutor’s office warned on Wednesday that people who participate in “illegal” rallies will be punished under current Russian law, according to the Russian news agency TASS, in the context of which Russia’s Vesna movement called for national protests in the Russian Federation against partial mobilization. announced on Wednesday by President Vladimir Putin, the independent Russian publication Meduza reports.

In St. Petersburg, a contract military service billboard with the image of a soldier and the slogan “Servant of Russia” is a real workPhoto: Olga MALTSEVA / AFP / Profimedia

Prosecutors in Moscow announced on Wednesday that online dissemination of calls for “illegal activity” is punishable under the criminal code, as anti-war activists called for protests across the country.

The warning of the Moscow prosecutor’s office was made shortly after the announcement by Russian President Vladimir Putin of partial mobilization in the Russian Federation.

The prosecutor’s office says that the protests on Wednesday are unauthorized, and the participants of these “illegal actions” will be punished.

“The announced mass measures were not coordinated with the executive authorities in accordance with the procedure established by the law. The Moscow Prosecutor’s Office warns that the distribution of such materials through social networks, forums and other Internet platforms, the involvement of Internet users, including minors, in illegal activities, and participation in illegal actions is also punishable in accordance with the current administrative and criminal legislation,” the prosecutor’s office said in a statement.

The Prosecutor’s Office of Moscow stated that the participants of the rallies may be punished according to the Criminal Code for:

  • violation of the established procedure for organizing or holding meetings, rallies, demonstrations, marches or picketing
  • public actions aimed at discrediting the use of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation
  • Involvement of a minor in anti-social activities
  • riots
  • the public distribution of false information about the use of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation is known, which is punishable by imprisonment for up to 15 years.

The Russians called for a protest

In some cities of Russia, protests began to appear, so far small, after Vladimir Putin’s statement about partial mobilization, writes The Guardian.

The Russian Vesna movement called for nationwide protests in the Russian Federation against the partial mobilization announced by President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, Meduza reports.

Activists call on people to gather in the center of every Russian city from 19:00 on Wednesday.

In his televised address to the nation on Wednesday – his first since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 – Putin announced a partial military mobilization in Russia to achieve the goals of a “special military operation” in Ukraine.