Search
In Rostov-on-Don, on 22 March, security forces conducted a search at the home of Yevgeny Makovoz. This was reported by the “Slovo Zashchite” Telegram channel.
The activist had submitted an application on 18 March to hold a rally in the city against censorship and blocking. He never received a response.
Instead, nine security officers turned up at his flat. None of them identified themselves. The officers seized Makovoz’s devices and beat him. According to those close to him, the activist suffered a concussion as a result of the beating. His whereabouts remain unknown. It is also unclear under which case the search was conducted.
- Political consultant Dmitry Kisiev reported that applications for “mass protests against internet and communications censorship” were submitted in 28 cities across 17 Russian regions. He later added that 20 applications had been rejected. Four rallies were nevertheless approved by the authorities: in Penza on 29 March, in Yakutsk (the main city in the Sakha Republic in Siberia) on 30 March, and two rallies in Vladimir on 1 April.