Interior Ministry to prevent unauthorized demonstrations in Russian regions

MOSCOW. March 5 (Interfax) - The Russian Interior Ministry has said that it will clamp down on any attempts to stage unauthorized demonstrations in the country's regions and has reminded citizens of their liability for organizing such events.

"Calls are being circulated on the Internet to hold unauthorized public events in a number of regions of the Russian Federation on March 6. The Russian Interior Ministry warns that all attempts to hold demonstrations that have not been permitted by the authorities in accordance with the established procedure will be immediately suppressed and their organizers and participants will be held to account," the ministry's press service said on Saturday.

Those who stage provocations or aggressive acts against officers of law enforcement agencies will be detained and will be punished in accordance with the law, it said.

"The Interior Ministry of Russia calls on citizens not to react to provocative statements of the organizers of unauthorized public events and to refrain from visiting places designated by them as the venues of demonstrations, and to caution their relatives, friends and underage children against taking any ill-considered steps," the Interior Ministry said.