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The relatives of detainees gathered in front of the presidential administration, this Tuesday, November 19, 2019 in Moscow. Alexander NEMENOV / AFP

Since the opposition rallies last summer in Moscow, about 15 protesters have been thrown into prison. Their parents formed a collective to denounce a " parody of justice " and appeal to the Russian president.

With our correspondent in Moscow, Daniel Vallot

In front of the doors of the presidential administration, the mother of a young girl reads aloud the letter addressed to Vladimir Putin. Other parents, whose children have been thrown in prison, surround him.

This is the case of Mikhail Barchai. His 21-year-old son has been detained since October. " He participated in this summer's protests and is accused of pushing a police officer. Usually, in this type of case, people are under house arrest. But our children, they were arrested and thrown in prison, "he rebels.

Last month, the parents of these young detainees decided to create a collective to denounce lawsuits that they consider completely unfair. " This letter to Vladimir Putin is a letter of despair. Because the parents of the detainees have no other solution. Justice is not interested in evidence, because everything is 100% political , "says Alexandra Krylenkova, human rights activist and member of the collective.

Frightened by despair and misunderstanding, the inmates' parents feel totally helpless in the justice system and are worried about their children. " Andrey is a student, he's not a thug! Since his arrest, we have not seen him once, laments Mikhail Barchai. We were able to send him some things and that's all. Now we just have to wait. "

Wait for the next hearing, and a verdict that could be heavy. Several protesters arrested this summer have already been sentenced to between two and four years in prison.

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