Native of Tajikistan has got a jail term of two months for throwing plastic bottle at policeman in Moscow during a July 27 protest rally over forthcoming Moscow elections

Nastoyashchyeye Vremya reports a 21-year-old native of Tajikistan Samariddin Rajabov has been arrested under the provisions of an administrative article and the Presnensky district court of Moscow has sentenced him to two months in prison for participation in an unsanctioned protest rally on July 27.

Samariddin Rajabov; photo / social network

Samariddin pleaded not guilty saying that he was just seating on a bench in the center of the city and did not participated in any illegal acts. 

Meanwhile, Rajabov is also charged with participation in mass riots (Article 212 (2) of Russia’ Penal Code).  If convicted, Rajabov could face up to eight years in prison.   

More than 1,300 people were reportedly arrested near City Hall, the intended site of the rally, on July 27.  Most of them were released immediately, but many of the candidates remain in jail, and the Russian news agency Tass reported that at least nine people were arrested on charges of organizing or participating in “mass unrest” on August 2, which can carry a jail term of up to 15 years.  Three people appeared in court on August 2 and a judge ordered they be held in jail for two months while the investigation continued.

Elections to Moscow’s city parliament were expected to pass off without much interest, but there has been a furious response to the refusal by the authorities to let independent candidates stand.

Election to the 7th convocation of the Moscow City Duma will take place on the United Voting Day on September 8, 2019.  The elections are to be held in first-past-the-post system: 45 deputies to be elected in 45 single-member constituencies. The term of the new Duma will be five years.