Rights activists will hold a rally to demand police reform on downtown Moscow's Triumfalnaya Square on Saturday, a leading activist said.
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.
Lev Ponomaryov, head of the For Human Rights organization, told RIA Novosti that the authorities permitted protestors to hold a rally and that some 1,000 people are expected on Triumfalnaya Square on March 6.
He said the meeting was originally due to be held on February 28, but was postponed because of a "misunderstanding" with the Moscow authorities over the venue.
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 and rape.
MOSCOW, March 6 (RIA Novosti)
