Russian President Dmitry Medvedev denied political motives in the jailing of Boris Nemtsov and other opposition figures at a sanctioned December 31 rally.
Nemtsov, who was a deputy prime minister in late 1990s, and dozens of other protestors were given short jail terms up to 15 days, known in Russia and other former Soviet republics as "administrative arrests," during the rally for "disobeying police."
"I would not like to exert influence on the consideration of this case in court. If you mean administrative arrests of small opposition party leaders, here the issue should be solved entirely in the legal sphere," Medvedev told Bloomberg TV.
The opposition claimed earlier that the jail terms were handed down according to political motives and that the authorities were clamping down on dissent.
"Breaking laws on holding rallies and demonstrations... while committing unlawful activities against those who defend law and order is not allowed in any country," Medvedev said.
The opposition holds protests on Triumfalnaya Square on the last day of every month with 31 days, in honor of Article 31 of the Russian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of assembly.
"I'm not prejudging the rulings, I know they turned to the court, and this is their right. However this is not a criminal prosecution, just an administrative arrest... Let them appeal it," the president said.
Medvedev also said that "after Moscow's leadership changed, the [opposition] demonstrations [on the 31st day of each month] were allowed."
"But it's impossible to file 10 applications for one place," he said, adding that protestors need to "get accustomed to observing laws."
MOSCOW, January 27 (RIA Novosti)
