This archive report was first published on 28 July 2019.
On Saturday, an unauthorized protest drew around 3,500 people in Moscow, according to official figures, after authorities barred prominent opposition candidates from participating in city elections.
The protest came a week after 22,000 people took to the streets, demanding that authorities reverse their decision ahead of the vote.
Police used batons on protesters as they attempted to gather outside city hall, with AFP reporters at the scene witnessing demonstrators with injuries.
The European Union condemned the 'disproportionate use of force against peaceful protesters,' stating that it undermined 'the fundamental freedoms of expression, association, and assembly.'
Amnesty International also criticized the excessive force used by police during the protest.
Following the rally last week, investigators raided the homes and headquarters of several disqualified candidates, including top Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, who was jailed for 30 days for calling the fresh protest.
Several would-be candidates were detained before or during the meeting on Saturday, including Ilya Yashin, who called for another protest next weekend.
OVD-Info, an organization that monitors protests, reported that 1,373 people were detained, the highest number since mass demonstrations in 2012.
The new protests come amid growing public discontent over declining living standards, which has impacted President Vladimir Putin's approval ratings.
Elections to Moscow's 45-seat legislative body, currently controlled by the pro-Kremlin United Russia party, are scheduled for September.
