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21 Apr, 125 tweets, 39 min read
BREAKING: Arrests and raids galore in Russia, as the country braces itself for unsanctioned rallies in support of #Navalny & #Putin's address to the nation. I will report live. In Moscow, the police just pulled out of a taxi and drove away an opposition leader Lyubov Sobol.👇👇👇
BREAKING: In St. Petersburg, the police searched the homes of six activists and a journalist. Water canon trucks appeared on the main street of the city. In Kurgan, an employee of Navalny's Anti-Corruption Fund center, as well as the girlfriend of the coordinator, were detained.
In Irkutsk, an activist was detained six hours before the rally, without a reason, as he walked down the street. In Ulan-Ude, the mayor's office suddenly decided to fumigate the square where the rally was planned, "against ticks."
In Krasnoyarsk, the security forces confisctated a phone and laptop of an activist 
In Yekaterinburg, Navalny's Anti-Corruption Fund center coordinator's place was raided.
Today Russian "Facebooks", Vkontakte and Odnoklassniki, have removed calls for actions in support of Navalny following the requests of the Russian watchdog Roskomnadzor to avoid fines.
The database with e-mail addresses of people who registered for the protest was hacked last week and the information was leaked and made public. Now people started to receive threats.
Navalny's team called for all-Russian rallies to support #Navalny who is on his 22 day of a hunger strike. The Kremlin refuses to provide a doctor's visit to Navalny & instead transferred him to a penal colony TB ward, solitary cell. No treatment is provided.
Meanwhile, solidarity protests are taking place all over the world. San Francisco, today.
Even in Guam--5 people!
Back to Russia, Far East is starting to get ready. Check out the troops in downtown Vladivostok.
BREAKING: #Navlany's press secretary Kira Yarmush was just detained at the entrance of her building as she went to the store at the time allowed by the court (she's under partial house arrest.)
Meanwhile, n Moscow and St. Petersburg, security forces block the central streets (8 hours before the rallies)
All around Russia activists and volunteers are detained and arrested.
While waiting to hear some more (nightmarish) news, here is Navalny's message from the TB ward of a penal colony (from this morning US time):
More Far East action: Khabarovsk, downtown, now. The rally was not sanctioned by the local authorities.
In Moscow, the police just arrived at the home of Moscow University Protest Telegram-channel, they threaten to interrogate neighbors. In Karelia, nine people are detained for posts about the rally in support of Navalny.
30-40 courageous people start the all-Russian rally in Far East, in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsk.
People are being arrested all over Russia (Rostov-na-Dony, Petrazovodsl.) Since we are 6.5 hours away from Moscow/St. Petersburg, & I went to the protest in SF & helped with organizing, I'm going to sleep now but will be back reporting in 6 hrs. Here, w/friends. #FreeNavalny
(still not asleep, can't) Far East, Yuzno-Sakhalinsk, 2 people detained, a group of people by the monument to... you guessed it, Lenin. Oddly enough, half of all protests will be happening today at Lenin Square or Lenin street. Don't ask.
Military vehicles and paddy-wagons in Khabarovsk, Far East. Meanwhile, in Moscow, Lyubov Sobol has been kept in a cold paddy-wagon for two hours. #FreeNavalny
BREAKING: Violence in Magadan now. About 10 people detained. Women are trying to defend men being arrested.
Meanwhile, in St.Petersburg, next to the Hermitage, the square is closed for the rehearsal of a military parade. Putin's address will be streamed from giant screens in the streets in Moscow, Novosibirsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Perm, and other cities. Orwell has nothing on Putin.
And, voila, Putin has started his speech. "Russia will always uphold and defend traditional values that have been forgotten in a number of countries"
Putin is talking about defending traditional values and youth tourism. Vacations. Listening. "Celebrating ambulance workers."
He's talking about pandemics and almost no one is wearing masks. Check out the interior design.
Meanwhile, in Magnitogorsk, people are not allowed to protest so people stand alone. This poster reads: Freedom to Navalny, the rat (Putin) should go on trial."
In Ekaterinburg, the authorities are now are raiding the Anti-Corruption Fund center, Navalny's organization. Putin is talking, everyone is clapping. In Irkutsk, another activist is detained.
People are gathering in Khabarovsk, even though downtown is blocked.
In Khabarovsk, police started to harass protesters but received an order to stop and left. People are chanting "Thank you! Thank you!"
Five Navalny supporters detained in Irkutsk, one in Novoskibirsk. Vladivostok protests (see photos below)
Putin goes on and on. He's talking about garbage (literally), I might take a nap now, after all. He did it. Meanwhile, Navalny's press secretary Kira Yarmysh has been kept in a paddy wagon for the last 2 hours. Navalny is still in a prison ward, w/o medical help. I will be back.
RESUMING REPORTING! The protests & arrests continue all over Russia. The Far East is done, Siberia and Urals are about done, as of now 218 people in 42 cities were detained during rallies in support of #Navalny. European time zone is about to join, w/Moscow & St.Pb. Live report.
Ekateringburg: Approx 4,000 people demanded medical help for Navalny. Students from a university dorm were not allowed to leave the premises. Security forces & police are everywhere. The coordinator of the local Navalny center detained. Water cannon trucks are on site.
In Omsk, about 1,000 people are marching around the city and demanding freedom for Navalny, and Putin - to resign!
More Omsk
In Irkutsk, about 600 people took part in the rally, chanting "We are not afraid." A blogger was detained after the protesters dispersed.
Chant in Irkutsk: "We are not afraid!" It takes a lot of courage, knowing how many people are arrested and sent to prison just for posting about rallies on social media
Novosibirsk: Give Navalny doctors! 
In Tomsk, the rally was attended by 1,500–2,000. The police came to search Navalny's HQ. In Chelyabinsk, about 1,000. In Chita, 200 to 300 people took part in the rally. In Perm, from 500 to 1000 people.
In Perm, people chanted, "Freedom!"
In Tyumen, security forces cordoned off the area downtown. Traffic police officers forbid locals to park in this area. Two protesters detained.
In Krasnoyarsk, more than 500 people. Chants: "Putin is a thief", "Freedom to Navalny", "Freedom to political prisoners" and "Get out of Krasnoyarsk". A Navalny coordinator was detained on his way to the rally
People were dancing to police loudspeaker
More Krasnoyarsk
In Ulan-Ude, 150 to 200 came to the rally. Later it was dispersed by security officers. In Chita, 200 to 300 people. In Kemerovo, 22 people were detained, including a journalist. One of them was beaten. They were taken in a paddy wagon to the police station, later released.
In Ufa, detentions started, police dragged people out of the crowd to paddy wagons. In Samara, the square in front of the regional government surrounded by a metal fence, guarded by police. In Bratsk,men in civilian clothes, in medical masks and black caps, detain the protesters.
In 15 minutes, Moscow and St.Petersburg join. Downtown areas are blocked in both cities. People are starting to gather around Nevsky prospect in St.P
People in St.Pb are dispersed and disoriented because police vans are blocking most streets.
Meanwhile, in Chelyabinsk
Arrests in Tumen (video), Ufa and Ekaterinburg
The photo of the day. Tumen. As Putin is addressing the nation from giant screens, the nation is chanting "Putin is a thief" and gets thrown into paddy wagons.
Breaks my heart to read the chat in St.Pb. Metro stations closed. People are being forced off the pedestrian part of the street. They have to break into small groups. National Guard is everywhere. Yet, they are trying. My hometown.
Moscow is out. Singing "Katusha", an oldie but goodie. You can see the Red Square in the back
Saratov: Putin is a thief!
Moscow: Navalny! Navalny! Navalny!
Back to Urals, a good video of Ekaterinburg, to get the idea of the scale
325 detainees as of now, according to OVD-Info. People are being detained in St.Pb right now
No one is allowed.
Moscow, now
Go Moscow! And stay safe!
"Away with Putin!" "Away with Putin!" (Laughter) 15 people detained in Moscow, 9 in St.P so far.
"Freedom!" "Freedom!" Moscow
"Putin, retire!" "Putin, retire!" St. Pb, by the Bronze Horseman, (coincidentally a symbol of tyranny after Pushkin's poem)
A bit earlier in St.Pb. It's raining, metro is closed, downtown is closed. People are trying to figure out how to protest--and where.
Moscow: "We want changes!" Police ask protestors to leave. No arrests as of this moment.
Special forces get violent in St.Pb now. Arresting a young person with a Russian flag.
St.Pb. "Freedom!" "Freedom!"
Earlier today, Putin delivered his address to the nation, speaking for 1,5, with lots of numbers. He did not mention Navalny, or protests. His speech was broadcasted live on giant video screens in the streets around the country.
"Russia without Putin!" chant people in St.Pb.
Split reality, Russian style. 2021.
The police begin to cordon off Tverskaya. People chant: "Stope serving monsters. Police, join the people!"
"Freedom!" "Freedom!" Moscow now
St.Pb
The police is reporeted to use electroshockers in St.Pb.
All public transportation has stopped operating downtown St.Petersburg. In Moscow, big crowds marching downtown.
Taking a 5 min break. Pray nothing bad happens.
Back reporting. St.Pb: "It becomes dangerous on the Nevsky prospect. The riot police are moving there, be careful."--from the chat. Special forces by the City Hall. In Moscow, Julia Navalnaya, Navalny's wife, joined the protest.
Moscow: more and more people coming out. Chant: Russia without Putin! Russia without Putin!
Moscow now. "For the happy Russia of the future!" (Without Putin--ZZ)
St.Pb: "Freedom to Navalny!" "One for all and all for one!" (a motto from Dumas' Three Musketeers.)
325 people detained in over 50 cities, according to OVD-info. Electroshocker used in St.Pb, some violence in other cities. In St.Pb, security forces won't let people stay in one place so the protest "wanders" all over town.
Riot police used electroshocker at Sennaya square in St.Pb and forced people out of it. With remarkable persistence, everyone is trying to get back to Nevsky.
4,500 in St.Pb. Meanwhile, paddy wagon procession in Moscow
IMPORTANT: the protests are NOT being covered on TV or state-controlled social media. Navanly's HQ was streaming from another country but someone cut off the electricity in the middle of the stream. Please share: it is the only way the world will know. #FreeNavalny
Correction: the video above is of riot police vans, not paddy wagons. Navalny's wife, mother and brother joined the protestors in Moscow now. According to the Ministry of Affairs data, 6,000 people are protesting in Moscow. Their numbers may be inaccurate.
In Voronezh, police cordoned off some of the protesters in a square near the Opera and Ballet Theater and started to arrest them. Security officers also carried away a journalist. “Help, what's going on? I am a journalist "
In Cheboksary, people are detained and taken away by public transport. In Izhevsk, several people detained.
Same in Murmansk, including the coordinator of the local Navalny Anti-Corruption Fund. In Lipetsk, several hundred people are protesting, few are detained.
Moscow: We are the power!
Just now: in St.Pb, security forces are massively using electric shocks en mase, OVD-Info reports. Earlier, the media published several videos of police shocking a young man and a young woman.
Mass arrests in St.Pb reported
Traffic stopped. St.Pb. Photos from Fontanka news.
Things I am reading the St.Pb chat are astonishing. "A column of riot police is chasing peaceful protesters. riot police trucks are rushing to the Square of Uprising." "Folks, get away from the Children's Theater!!! Riot police!" Riot police are called "cosmonauts"
Lyubov Sobol: "After spending many hours in a paddy wagon, and at the police station under Putin's portrait (I consider this a psychological torture), I was released. Court hearing tomorrow. Everyone who came out today--you're the best! Freedom to Navalny!
"I will not stop demanding freedom for Navalny and campaigning in the State Duma. They wanted to intimidate me with people in black hats? I've seen them a million times. Conscience and honor are more important. Thks to all who cared. Support me here: "soboll.ru/#donate"
Kirya Yarmush is arrested for 10 days. She has been accused of organizing the rally on the Internet, although she has been under house arrest without the Internet for 2.5 months.
In St.Pb, severe detentions. Security forces use electric shockers against protesters.
Hide and seek continues in St. Pb. Moscow seems to be doing fine. Protests are wrapping up in other cities.
Elector shockers being used in St.Pb, video (warning: graphic, violence)
Another shocking video, St.Pb. A protestor breaks free, tries to run, falls, and is caught by riot police, who beat him with batons. You can hear screams of pain and riot police officers laughing. (Warning: very disturbing)
Two full buses of detained in St.Pb
St.Pb. Riot police ("cosmonauts"--or aliens?)
More graphic videos from St.Pb twitter.com/novaya_gazeta
Protestors in St.Pb snatched from inside the stores
SHARE!!!!! This is evidence. Please share. Electric shockers.
Please share--this is evidence. They will try to say that none of this happening--neither the protests nor violence. In Volgograd, the crowd is dispersed with tear gas. The gas was used in an arch on Lenin Avenue in the center of Volgograd. Mass detentions v1.ru/text/politics/…
More than 500 people were detained at rallies across the country, according to OVD Info. "Love is stronger than Fear" chant people in Moscow now, police is standing by
Another surreal image. Above the protesting city, the gain image of Putin is projected on a building. A scene in many cities around Russia today. The most popular chants are "Russia without Putin!" and "Putin is a thief!"--along with #FreeNavalny. #FreeNavalnyNow
And are images to follow: St.Pb. fontanka.ru/2021/04/21/698… From Fontanka.ru
"Thank you, St. Petersburgers! Today you have shown that the city belongs to you. You are the light of this city, and you are the power. It is becoming more and more dangerous to be on the street. And so we end the rally"--Navalny's HQ.
One of the employees of Navalny's HQ (Anti-Corruption Foundation) is arrested (despite being a journalist.) Here is the scene from the Children's Theater in St.Pb (graphic)
"Russia will be free!" In St.Pb.
Another photo of the day. A riot police office in full gear in front of the Moscow Circus. The poster reads: "Dear Patrons! Everything will be all right!" (perhaps COVID-related.) Photo by Fariza Dudaeva/Novaya Gazeta. Amazing.
St.Pb: Navalny's HQ address: "We fear for your safety, so we recommend that you disperse. The security forces went unhinged. They are attacking passers-by. You are the bravest people, and you are not afraid of anything. But please be careful!
Detained in St.Pb. It is a regular bus. While there were many detentions around the country, it looks like St.Petersburg got the worst treatment. Putin is from there. It doesn't surprise me. In the 1990s, his first serious theft was there: when he stole our food. We remember.
Several detainees kept in these buses got ill, and an ambulance was called. People were kept inside for an hour and a half, one woman began to suffocate. A man fainted, and an ambulance was called for him. Three buses stopped and just waited for doctors. (OVD-Info)
A man from Ufa told OVD-Info that he and his friends were detained, taken to the police in a regular passenger bus. The detainees are now in a police station. They are not allowed to go to the toilet, they have no water.
In Astrakhan, St.Pb, a number of cities, lawyers are not being allowed to see the detained.
From St.Pb chat: "Please make my message public! From the window of house number 15 on Grivtsova Lane, someone threw firecrackers at protesters' heads. I asked one girl to make a video, I hope she will post it online. Everything is visible there"
Over 1,000 detained in Russia today. Most detainees in St. Petersburg - 351. Next on the list: Ufa (87), Sochi (50), Kazan (40), Kemerovo (36), Barnaul (33), Novokuznetsk (30), Voronezh (26), Tomsk (24), Moscow (20). Arrests and violence still continue in St.Petersburg.
On Zvenigorodskaya Street in St. Petersburg, security forces circled 40 people, including journalists. They released some journalists and detained some.
I am taking a break now. I will finalize in a few and I really hope that people in St.Petersburg are safe.
Here is the full report of most cities in Russia protesting, from local sources, with photos, videos, translated in English. The protests are not covered in Russia - please share so the world knows.
Finalizing. 1,226 detained in Russia, nearly 500 in St. Petersburg. Navalny still didn't get to see a doctor. ☝️A big thread; still didn't cover all cities and all protests. But many of them. Please read and share. #FreeNavalny #FreeNavalnyNow #SaveNavalny
the full thread is here.
@threadreaderapp unroll please
A brief summary of the above events here: zarinazabrisky.medium.com/putin-addresse…
I translated a new message from Navalny, just out.

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More from @ZarinaZabrisky

Zarina Zabrisky Profile picture
22 Apr
🔴A new message from #Navalny (just out, 20 min ago): "It's getting harder and harder to figure out what's really going on there, outside of my prison cell." Thread. 👇The article on the protests👇(50--120,000 in the streets, 1,200arrested) Pls RT zarinazabrisky.medium.com/putin-addresse…
"Hi, this is Navalny. It's getting harder and harder for me to figure out what's really going on there, outside of my prison cell. Right now I only have a TV without remote control, & all the buttons (including the volume one!!!) are blocked so I can only watch a Culture channel"
"One hour a day. But my lawyer came to visit and told me a bit about what happened yesterday and - I will tell you honestly - two feelings are raging inside me: pride and hope. Pride for being a part of this great and beautiful whole..."
Read 9 tweets
Zarina Zabrisky Profile picture
20 Apr
#Navalny's message from the colony, just now: "I wish you'd see me now - you'd laugh. Imagine a skeleton walking, staggering around the cell, desperately smacking mosquitoes on the walls and ceiling with a rolled up court order." Thread #FreeNalvany
"These squeaking and biting critters could kill a person faster than any hunger strike.
You can tell horror stories about me to kids who refuse to eat their meals.
Masha, if you don't eat your cereal, you will become like this man, all giant ears, a skull-like face & sunken eyes.
"Oh no, Mom! Please! I'll eat everything and ask for more!
But anyway, life brings you great moments and you have fun and laugh.
This weekend - I will not lie - wasn't good. I was admitted to a prison hospital ward at another penal colony.
Read 46 tweets
Zarina Zabrisky Profile picture
19 Apr
The situation in #Russia escalates. #Navalny was transferred to a penal colony hospital. His trusted doctors are still not allowed to see him. No more blood test results. His lawyer was only allowed to see him for several minutes. Vitamin treatment is administered/no details.👇🏽
Navalny's allies are calling for an all-Russia protest. Their organization is about to be proclaimed a terrorist organization. Anyone associated with Navalny can be imprisoned for 6-10 years. The database with emails of people registered for the rally hacked and made public. 👇🏽
We will be holding rallies around the US and Canada to advocate appropriate independent medical attention to Alexey Navalny. The rally will take place on April 20 and 21--see the list of current events and more will be added. 👇🏽
Read 17 tweets
Zarina Zabrisky Profile picture
19 Apr
👇🏼🛑EU leaders: The European Union is deeply concerned about reports that the Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny’s health in the penal colony continues to deteriorate even further. consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press…
We call on the Russian authorities to grant him immediate access to medical professionals he trusts. The Russian authorities are responsible for Mr Navalny’s safety and health in the penal colony, to which we hold them to account
As a continuation to the clear messages passed during the High Representative’s visit to Moscow in February regarding the situation of Mr Navalny, the EU will continue to call for his immediate and unconditional release as we consider his sentencing politically motivated
Read 4 tweets
Zarina Zabrisky Profile picture
18 Apr
⚡Today, as the whole world is pleading with the Kremlin to let #Navalny be seen by doctors, a medical team (resuscitation specialist, MDs, neurosurgeon) came to Navalny's colony & for hours begged to check on Navalny but were not allowed inside. 20 days of hunger strike.Thread👇🏽
Navalny's team & leaders of his Anti-Corruption Foundation called for all-Russia protests on Wed, April 21. Their address: "Have you ever witnessed a murder of a human being? You are watching it now... Navalny is being killed as you are reading this. In a terrifying manner."👇🏽👆
This week, the Kremlin started a process to recognize the Anti-Corruption Foundation and Navalny's HQ as an extremist organization. The Foundation carried out investigations for 10 yrs under extreme pressure, facing raids, arrests, criminal cases, interrogations 👆👇🏽
Read 7 tweets
Zarina Zabrisky Profile picture
6 Apr
These are real heroes. This doctor just spent over a month under home arrest (first w/o the right to seeing her kids.) Now, she & her colleagues are going to the penal colony to insist on the right to treat #Navalny. His condition is deteriorating; the colony is struck by TB.
This is the same doctor who played Beethoven while her house was being searched. Here's my interview with her lawyer from 2 months ago only. Now she's risking her life again...
#Navalny is on a hunger strike and lost 13 kg (26 lbs). He's showing symptoms of the coma and toxic poisoning aftermath, according to the doctors in the video above. #Putin is killing people in the broad daylight and in front of the whole world. Share a word.
Read 7 tweets

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