The Russian judiciary on Tuesday opened an investigation on charges of "fabricating large-scale riots", a crime that convicts the convicted person for up to 15 years, against the backdrop of a weekend demonstration to demand fair elections.
The commission of inquiry has opened investigations into acts of violence against police officers and officials, adding that the investigation will not be limited to organizers but will include participants in the demonstration.
"The investigation concluded that, before an unauthorized demonstration, a number of people repeatedly posted invitations to participate on the Internet, fully aware that such acts could lead to widespread riots," the statement said.
The committee added that the participants in the demonstration on Saturday violated public order and used violence against the authorities and "paralyzed traffic" in the center of the Russian capital.
Deputy Prosecutor General Alexander Boxman said the judiciary "must strictly prohibit any work of organizers and participants in illegal or unauthorized public works," RIA Novosti reported.
Three days after the suppression of an unlicensed demonstration in Moscow that led to the arrest of some 1,400 people, Boxman called for "to this end use deterrent measures" owned by the Russian judiciary.
For his part, Prosecutor Yuri Chaika said in a speech to his colleagues that "effective control measures must be taken during the preparation and conduct of elections," adding that "it is very necessary not to repeat events in Moscow recently."
On Tuesday, Russian courts announced that they had ordered the arrest of sixty people and sentenced more than 160 to pay fines after Saturday´s demonstrations. A demonstrator accused of dumping a garbage can on a prison policeman was held for two months pending trial. He may be imprisoned for up to five years.
The opposition denounces the rejection of independent candidates for local elections expected on September 8, which seem difficult for candidates who support power in an atmosphere of social resentment.
A new opposition demonstration is planned for Moscow on Saturday. According to the organizers, the Moscow municipality authorized it, but the location proposed by the authorities, Sakharov Boulevard in the center of the city, did not satisfy the opposition.
If the opposition refuses to assemble on Sakharov Boulevard and chooses another venue, the demonstration could be considered unauthorized.
The mayor of Moscow, Sergei Sobyanin, accused the opposition of "preparing for a new provocation" on August 3 and thanked the two policemen for suppressing a Saturday demonstration in which they had to "use force" and acted "appropriately".
The opposition announced on Tuesday the arrest of one of its leaders, Mikhail Svetzov, by two policemen who did not justify the arrest.
