Demonstrating in Russia: a costly business

If you want to demonstrate in Russia in future, you’d had better watch out. You're very likely to get landed with a hefty fine. Next Tuesday, the first big demonstration is to due take place since statutory changes were introduced. Then we’ll see whether tough measures have deterred Russians from exercising their rights. The famous Russian author Boris Akunin will certainly be taking part.
If you take part in an illegal demonstration, you risk a fine of 300,000 roubles, which is equivalent to around 7,000 euros. The organisers face even higher fines. You might also be forced to do up to 200 hours of compulsory community service.
The statutory changes stipulate what is and is not allowed, and that’s a lot. You’re not allowed to cover your face. You’re not allowed to cause a nuisance. You’re not allowed to hinder the traffic. If you don’t keep to the new rules, it may cost you dearly.
Local authorities are also allowed to determine which locations are forbidden for demonstrations. This is expected to include the most convenient locations in the city centre.
Mass demonstration
President Putin’s human rights advisors have strongly criticised the new legislation, pointing out that some measures violate the constitution. Nevertheless, the government was quick to adopt the measures. Clearly it wants to implement the new rules before 12 June, the day the next mass demonstration is due to take place in Moscow. Once again, tens of thousands of people are expected to take part in the protests against Putin’s regime.
The new legislation appears to be aimed at putting off potential protesters. But it might also lead to the  radicalisation of the opposition, fears environmental activist Yevgenia Chirikova:
“On 6 May, the confrontation resulted in beatings and arrests on one side and stone and bottle throwing on the other. The new demonstration legislation only adds insult to injury.”
Creative solution
Activists in Kaliningrad, the Russian exclave between Poland and Lithuania, have come up with a creative solution: they're considering demonstrating over the border in Poland. They have worked out that this is a lot safer and cheaper than paying fines in Russia.
In Moscow, the authorities are waiting until the last minute to give permission for the demonstration on 12 June. The organisers and participants are not too worried. “The protests will of course go on, with or without permission,” Boris Akunin writes in his blog.
Last month, he was one of the organisers of a spontaneous 'walk' of writers through the centre of Moscow “to see whether we can still walk in our own city without being arrested.” The writers were joined by 17,000 supporters. The authorities could do nothing.
Peaceful demonstrations
Akunin will certainly take part in the protests on Tuesday:
“Of course I would prefer a quiet and peaceful event, but if the authorities want a confrontation, I would feel ashamed if I stayed at home. If you’re not prepared to stand up for your rights, you’re not worthy of them.”
Dialogue
Inna Karezina, an activist from Moscow, is also determined to demonstrate on June 12, a national holiday:
“I will definitely go because it is Russia Day, in other words also my day. And I’ll be going whether or not permission is given for the protests. But I’m afraid fewer people will come. […] Unfortunately. But that’s the objective of this law. Instead of entering into dialogue with the protesters, they make it impossible to hold mass demonstrations.”
Still Karezina also sees a positive side.
“Of course, it’s a draconian law. It is against the constitution and a violation of human rights. But the time of mass demonstrations is coming to an end, and it’s time the opposition focused on more concrete problems, such as taking people to court for electoral fraud and teaching people what they can do at local level to influence the regime. That is also very important.”

(hs/nc)