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Russian opponent Lioubov Sobol at a demonstration in Moscow on July 14, 2019. She is currently on hunger strike and will be the only opposition figure in the streets of Moscow (photo illustration). REUTERS / Maxim Shemetov

The Russian opposition has maintained its call to protest this Saturday, August 3 in the center of the Russian capital. Demonstration for "free elections", unauthorized, which could lead to many arrests.

From our correspondent in Moscow , Daniel Vallot

It is a demonstration without leader or almost. Most opposition leaders, whether or not they were candidates in the September elections, were in fact incarcerated and sentenced to prison terms ranging from 10 to 30 days. The only opposition figure who is not in detention is Lioubov Sobol, a 31-year-old lawyer who has been on a hunger strike since her candidacy was rejected. This relative of Alexei Navalny remained free on the grounds that she cares for a young child.

Alexei Navalny was sentenced to 30 days in prison even before the banned demonstration last Saturday, the other opposition figures were sentenced after the demonstration. Among them are Dmitri Gudkov, Ilya Yachine , and Ivan Jdanov. There were more than 1,400 arrests last week and this week the authorities have warned against this new banned demonstration.

Indicted for " massive unrest "

The police and judicial pressure is not only about the leaders of the protest: it is several dozen people who remained in prison after the mass arrests of last Saturday. Three of them are being prosecuted for " violence " against the police, which could be up to five years in prison. And five others are indicted for organization of " massive disorders ": the penalty is even heavier, up to 15 years of detention.

On social networks, the number of people who declared their intention to participate in the event is even higher than at the last gatherings. Despite the convictions, despite the arrests, the opposition maintained its call to protest. But she changed mode of operation. There will be a gathering point like last week in front of the Moscow City Hall, but several throughout this so-called ring of boulevards. This could complicate the task of police forces.

► See also: Elections in Moscow: Opposition candidates declared invalid