Russia: Memorial march in Moscow February 25

Event

The “Solidarity” civil society organization announced on Tuesday, January 9, that it will stage a march in Moscow on Sunday, February 25, to commemorate the murder of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov. According to event organizers, the march will begin near the Pushkin Square at 14:00 (local time). Participants will then proceed along Strastnoy, Petrovsky, and Rozhdestvensky Boulevards. The march will end on Sakharov Academic Avenue around 16:00. "Solidarity" is reportedly waiting to hear back from city officials regarding authorization to hold the event. There will be heightened security along the march route; avoid the area due to the possibility of violence.

Additionally, associated marches will likely take place in other cities nationwide on February 25.

Context

Nemtsov was a prominent opposition politician who was shot and killed on February 27, 2015, while crossing the Bolshoi Moskvoretsky bridge in central Moscow. A memorial march held in February 2016 was attended by at least 15,000 people, and occurred without incident.

Official authorization is required for all protests and other large public gatherings in Russia; police sometimes use force to disperse unauthorized demonstrations.

Advice

Individuals present in the Moscow area are advised to avoid all demonstrations and to anticipate travel disruptions in the vicinity of public gatherings.