"No, the situation is still not the prerogative of the Kremlin. If you want to ask if we are aware of any actions in support of Ustinov, yes, we know about it", Peskov told reporters.
He said it didn't matter whether the Kremlin watched a video of Ustinov’s detention or not.
"We watched the video, but this is not the basis for some actions, legal actions. The only legal action that took place was that there was an appeal. There was an appeal, and let's wait with you for the result of the appeal", Peskov said.
He said the Kremlin can't influence courts, so, legally, the Presidential Administration was not the right structure to be addressed by pickets, and added that it would be wrong to draw general conclusions about confidence in Russia's judicial system.
The statement comes after Moscow court sentenced Ustinov to 3.5 years in prison for violence against riot police during the 3 August rally held in the run-up to the elections to the city legislature. According to the case materials, on Pushkin Square, a police sergeant major detained Ustinov for "violating public order and being an active participant in riots". Ustinov resisted, and the police officer had his shoulder dislocated as a result. The defendant pleaded not guilty.
In late July, a number of Russia's pro-opposition candidates organised mass protests and called for acts of civil disobedience after 57 independent candidates for the Moscow legislature were not allowed to run over alleged electoral fraud.
At the first unauthorised rally on 27 July, over 1,000 people were detained. The unauthorised protest rally on 3 August involved about 1,500 people. About 600 protesters were detained.
