The State Department censured Russian authorities for detaining peaceful protesters Sunday as anti-corruption demonstrations swept the country, according to a statement provided to THE WEEKLY STANDARD.
Reports earlier on Sunday questioned the Trump administration’s silence on the protests, including the White House and State Department.
“The United States strongly condemns the detention of hundreds of peaceful protesters throughout Russia on Sunday,” acting spokesman Mark Toner said. “Detaining peaceful protesters, human rights observers, and journalists is an affront to core democratic values.”
Thousands of protesters took to the streets nationwide in demonstrations triggered by a top Russian opposition activist, Alexei Navalny, and the work his foundation has done to expose the corruption of some of the country’s top political officials.
Navalny was one of hundreds detained Sunday. The State Department condemned his arrest.
“We were troubled to hear of the arrest of opposition figure Alexei Navalny upon arrival at the demonstration, as well as the police raids on the anti-corruption organization he heads,” Toner said.
“The United States will monitor this situation, and we call on the government of Russia to immediately release all peaceful protesters,” the statement continued. “The Russian people, like people everywhere, deserve a government that supports an open marketplace of ideas, transparent and accountable governance, equal treatment under the law, and the ability to exercise their rights without fear of retribution.”
Navalny and his Foundation for Fighting Corruption reported in early March that Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev owns millions of dollars worth of yachts and mansions, obtained mostly through taking bribes. The foundation’s report inspired many of the protesters who turned out Sunday.
“What will happen after this investigation is published? Will somebody be arrested? Will a criminal case be opened? A start of investigation?” read their report. “Nothing, we’ve been through all of this before.”
State-controlled media in large part did not cover the protests, according to the foundation and other news outlets.
