Opposition activists detained at St. Petersburg tax protest
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 9 January 2009 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Opposition activists detained at St. Petersburg tax protest, 9 January 2009, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/49676e9ec.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
January 09, 2009
ST. PETERSBURG – Two activists were detained in St. Petersburg as they protested a tax increase on the import of foreign cars, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.
The January 8 demonstration was to include a parade of cars, but the street to the rally was blocked by city authorities.
Activist Vladimir Ivanhik was arrested for displaying a black flag showing a hammer and sickle, even though a court recently ruled that such a flag can be shown in Russia.
Olga Kurnosova, head of St. Petersburg's branch of the United Civil Front, was also detained at the end of the rally. She told RFE/RL that her arrest was punishment for her slogans "Russia Without Putin" and "We Need Another Russia."
The demonstration was held ahead of the January 12 nationwide protest against an increase on the import tax for foreign cars.