Russian human rights activists have been granted permission to hold a central Moscow rally for radical police reform on March 6, a leading activist said on Wednesday.
"We have received permission from the authorities to hold a rally and we expect some 1,000 people to come to Triumfalnaya Square on March 6," Lev Ponomaryov, head of the For Human Rights organization, told RIA Novosti.
He said the meeting was due to be held on February 28, but was postponed because of a "misunderstanding" with the Moscow authorities over the venue.
Similar rallies by rights groups in Russia have often been met with a heavy police presence. Some 100 people, including several prominent opposition leaders, were detained on New Year's Eve during an unsanctioned rally in downtown Moscow.
Following a series of brutal crimes by police officers, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has moved to introduce tougher punishment for police found guilty of crimes, submitting a bill to parliament imposing harsher sentences than for civilians convicted of similar offences. The president announced in December extensive Interior Ministry reforms.
The reputation of the Russian police force has declined dramatically in recent years. In just over 18 months, Russian police officers have been convicted or charged with burning a suspect to death, shooting sprees, a beheading, and rape.
Russian Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev used his annual Police Day address last November to remind police chiefs that officers should point their weapons at criminals, and not aim them at law-abiding citizens. Shortly after this, he advised ordinary citizens to "give as good as they get" if they are attacked for no reason by officers.
MOSCOW, March 3 (RIA-Novosti)
