Press release

Foreign Secretary response to arrests after protests in Russia

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson expresses concern at large-scale detentions in Russia following anti-corruption protests

• From: Foreign & Commonwealth Office and The Rt Hon Boris Johnson
• Published: 13 June 2017

This was published under the 2016 to 2019 May Conservative government

Hundreds of Russian citizens have been arrested after participating in anti-corruption demonstrations across the country. This included opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, said:

I am concerned by the detention on 12 June of hundreds of Russian citizens following protests. They were exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, which are enshrined in the Russian constitution. The UK calls on the government of Russia to comply with its international commitments in the Council of Europe and the OSCE, and release citizens detained during peaceful demonstrations.

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Published 13 June 2017