2019 Moscow protests

{{main|2019 Moscow City Duma election}}

After the verification of the signatures collected by the candidates, the Moscow City Election Commission (MCEC) refused to register most of independent opposition candidates. The claimed reason was the high percentage of rejected signatures (exceeding permissible reject rate of 10%). Independent candidates accused the MCEC of forgery in verifying signatures aimed at prohibiting the opposition to participate in elections. During the verification some personal data of the signers was entered with errors. In addition, a significant part of the signatures was invalidated on the grounds of a so-called handwriting examination, which scientific validity and impartiality the candidates questioned. The candidates submitted to the MCEC statements confirming the validity of signatures from signatories, whose signatures were rejected on the grounds of handwriting examination. The candidates also submitted to the MCEC an opinion of professional handwriting experts on the insolvency of the MCEC examination. Despite this, the MCEC did not change the decision. In protest, one of the candidates, Lyubov Sobol, went on a hunger strike on July 13.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/articles/2019/07/14/806505-gudkova-sobol|title=Гудкова и Соболь не пускают на выборы в Мосгордуму|last=Ведомости|date=2019-07-14|website=vedomosti.ru|access-date=2019-07-30}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.novayagazeta.ru/articles/2019/07/16/81267-operatsiya-yktorovna|title=Операция "Ыкторвна"|date=2019-07-16|website=Новая газета - Novayagazeta.ru|language=ru|access-date=2019-07-30}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/articles/2019/07/23/807074-ilya-yashin-obzhaloval|title=Илья Яшин обжаловал в Мосгоризбиркоме снятие с выборов в Мосгордуму|last=Ведомости|date=2019-07-23|website=vedomosti.ru|access-date=2019-07-30}}

On the other hand, the MCEC registered 32 candidates from Communists of Russia party, which has very low popularity (during 2016 election to the State Duma it collected 2%). This party is regarded by experts as a spoiler for CPRF.{{Cite web|url=https://ria.ru/20180319/1516707811.html|title=Политолог назвал Сурайкина "спойлером" КПРФ|date=2018-03-19|website=РИА Новости|language=ru|access-date=2019-07-31}} These candidates are almost unknown in Moscow, mostly students, housewives and low-skilled workers.{{Cite web|url=https://og.ru/news/105483|title=Мосгоризбирком зарегистрировал в депутаты ранее судимого кандидата, работающего "калькулятором"|date=2019-07-16|website=Общая Газета|language=ru|access-date=2019-07-31|archive-date=2019-07-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731170537/https://og.ru/news/105483|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://mosgorduma-2019.ru/|title=Все кандидаты в Мосгордуму-2019: кто есть кто — Выборы в Мосгордуму 8 сентября 2019г.|language=ru-RU|access-date=2019-07-31|archive-date=2019-08-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823072703/http://mosgorduma-2019.ru/|url-status=dead}} According to the MCEC, these 32 unknown candidates managed to collect the necessary signatures. However, Muscovites did not see any signature collectors for the candidates from Communists of Russia or pro-United Russia 'independent' candidates in the streets of their city.{{Cite web|url=https://snob.ru/entry/180304/|title=Хроника объявленной революции. Почему последствия московского политического кризиса будут очень серьезными|website=snob.ru|access-date=2019-07-31|archive-date=2019-12-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207173347/https://snob.ru/entry/180304/|url-status=dead}} Later, an opposition newspaper Novaya Gazeta revealed that the same headquarters coordinates the actions of candidates from Communists of Russia and pro-United Russia 'independents'.{{Cite web|url=https://www.novayagazeta.ru/articles/2019/08/01/81457-shtaby-na-lyamkah|title=Штабы на лямках|date=2019-08-01|website=Новая газета - Novayagazeta.ru|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-02}}

File:Moscow_(2019-07-27),_photo_by_Ilya_Varlamov_DSC_1887.jpg. July 27, 2019.]]

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On July 14, 17 independent candidates met with supporters in Novopushkinsky Square. After that they went to the City Hall and finally to Mokhovaya Street to the MCEC building. Candidates demanded to accept signatures in their support and to allow them to participate in the election. The Police and the National Guard initially acted politely, but later they began to break up tents in the yard of the MCEC and to detain the protestors.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/articles/2019/07/14/806532-oppozitsiya-dobivaetsya-registratsii-na-viborah-protestami|title=Оппозиция добивается регистрации на выборах в Мосгордуму протестами|last=Ведомости|date=2019-07-14|website=vedomosti.ru|access-date=2019-07-31}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.ru/obshchestvo/380005-sobyanin-vyhodi-sotni-chelovek-vyshli-protestovat-protiv-falsifikaciy-na-vyborah|title="Собянин, выходи": сотни человек вышли протестовать против фальсификаций на выборах в Мосгордуму {{!}} Общество|date=2019-07-14|website=Forbes.ru|access-date=2019-07-31}} According to the OVD-Info portal, by the evening 39 people were detained, including candidates Ilya Yashin, Lyubov Sobol, Ivan Zhdanov and Yulia Galyamina.{{Cite web|url=https://ovdinfo.org/news/2019/07/14/spisok-zaderzhannyh-v-svyazi-s-akciey-u-mosgorizbirkoma|title=Список задержанных в связи с акцией у Мосгоризбиркома|website=ОВД-Инфо|language=ru|access-date=2019-07-31}} Four protesters were hospitalized after a hard detention, several activists were beaten by the police.{{Cite web|url=https://zona.media/chronicle/police|title=Разгон акции возле Мосгоризбиркома|website=Медиазона|access-date=2019-07-31}} Detained candidates called for supporters to meet again at the MCEC building the next day.{{Cite news|url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4031905|title=Марш несобравших|work=Коммерсантъ|access-date=2019-07-31}}

On July 15, 10 candidates arrived to a meeting with the head of the MCEC Gorbunov. The meeting planned to be open, however journalists were not allowed to enter the MCEC building and Gorbunov set several conditions: he would talk with the candidates one by one in a closed format only. Only 3 candidates accepted these conditions.{{Cite web|url=https://meduza.io/news/2019/07/15/nezavisimye-kandidaty-v-mosgordumu-otkazalis-ot-kuluarnoy-vstrechi-s-glavoy-mosgorizbirkoma|title=Независимые кандидаты в Мосгордуму отказались от "кулуарной встречи" с главой Мосгоризбиркома|website=meduza.io|language=ru|access-date=2019-07-31}} Later nine candidates were denied registration.{{Cite web|url=https://tass.ru/moskva/6663895|title=Мосгоризбирком отказал в регистрации девяти кандидатам в депутаты Мосгордумы|website=ТАСС|access-date=2019-07-31}} Then, Ilya Yashin announced that the MCEC removed him from the elections due to the allegedly exceeding the allowable number of false signatures and refused to accept written confirmations of the so-called "wrong" signatories.{{Cite web|url=https://meduza.io/news/2019/07/15/ilyu-yashina-snyali-s-vyborov-v-mosgordumu|title=Илью Яшина сняли с выборов в Мосгордуму. Его обвинили в применении административного ресурса|website=meduza.io|language=ru|access-date=2019-07-31}} In the evening of the same day, several hundred people gathered at Trubnaya Square for an action for admission of independent candidates to the elections. The candidates called for holding such meetings every day until their requirements were met.{{Cite web|url=https://meduza.io/news/2019/07/15/v-moskve-nachalas-novaya-aktsiya-v-podderzhku-nezavisimyh-kandidatov-v-mosgordumu|title=В Москве началась новая акция в поддержку независимых кандидатов в Мосгордуму|website=meduza.io|language=ru|access-date=2019-07-31}}

On July 16, most of the independent candidates received registration denials, in particular, Lyubov Sobol, Ivan Zhdanov, Konstantin Yankauskas, Yulia Galyamina, Dmitry Gudkov, Gennady Gudkov, Alexander Solovyov, Sergey Mitrokhin, Elena Rusakova, Kirill Goncharov, Anastasia Bryukhanova. In all cases the reason was the exceeding of the maximum allowable percentage of invalid voter signatures.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/politics/16/07/2019/5d2df6e49a79471f21970ad6|title=Гудкову и Соболь отказали в регистрации на выборах в Мосгордуму|website=РБК|date=16 July 2019 |access-date=2019-07-31}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4033095|title=Соболь, Митрохина и Гудкова сняли с выборов в Мосгордуму|date=2019-07-16|website=kommersant.ru|language=ru|access-date=2019-07-31}} Only a few independent candidates received registration. The action on Trubnaya that day took place despite the heavy rain. There were no detentions.{{Cite web|url=https://meduza.io/news/2019/07/17/v-moskve-nachalas-aktsiya-v-podderzhku-nezavisimyh-kandidatov-v-mosgordumu-v-chetvertyy-raz-za-chetyre-dnya|title=В Москве прошла акция в поддержку независимых кандидатов в Мосгордуму. В четвертый раз за четыре дня|website=meduza.io|language=ru|access-date=2019-07-31}}

On July 17, meeting on Trubnaya Square took place again, about 800 people participated. Gorbunov announced results of candidates registration campaign: 233 candidates were registered, 57 got a refusal.{{Cite news|url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4033773?from=main_4|title=Мосгоризбирком прибавил в безотказности|work=Коммерсантъ|access-date=2019-07-31}}

Independent opposition candidates collected more than a thousand official statements from Muscovites, including statements with video, demanding that their signatures be considered valid.{{Cite news|url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4034417?from=main_5|title=Удостоверение наличия|work=Коммерсантъ|access-date=2019-07-31}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.novayagazeta.ru/articles/2019/07/19/81297-delo-v-tom-chto-menya-ne-suschestvuet|title=Дело в том, что меня не существует|date=2019-07-19|website=Новая газета - Novayagazeta.ru|language=ru|access-date=2019-07-31}} They continued to conduct daily "For the Right to Choose" actions on Trubnaya Square till Saturday. The MCEC pointed out they are ready to consider the application and re-check the signatures. The PCCSHR recommended to allow independent candidates to participate in the election.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/rbcfreenews/5d30c83d9a7947a06c06aa71|title=СПЧ предложил допустить к выборам в Мосгордуму всех собравших подписи|website=РБК|date=18 July 2019 |access-date=2019-07-31}}

On July 20, a permitted rally was held on Sakharov Avenue with the same requirements. It has become the largest political action in Russia since 2012.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/features-49058804|title="Это наш город!" Как прошел митинг за свободные выборы в Мосгордуму|last=Зотова|first=Елизавета Фохт, Наталия|date=2019-07-20|access-date=2019-07-31}} According to the "White Counter" organization, over 22 thousand people participated. The main requirement was to admit the independent candidates to the elections. According to the OVD-info, 7 people were detained at the meeting and after it.{{Cite news|url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4038752?from=main_1|title=Оппозиция не хочет держать себя в рамках|work=Коммерсантъ|access-date=2019-07-31}} Alexey Navalny on behalf of all independent candidates put an ultimatum to the Moscow authorities: if all independent candidates are not registered for a week, then an unauthorized rally will take place in front of the Moscow City Hall on Saturday, July 27.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/articles/2019/07/20/806903-ultimatum|title=Оппозиционеры выдвинули властям Москвы ультиматум|last=Ведомости|date=2019-07-20|website=vedomosti.ru|access-date=2019-07-31}} Later, Ilya Yashin on behalf of all independent candidates published a joint open letter to Mayor Sobyanin, it contained Navalny's ultimatum, an offer to meet and discuss the situation and a proposal to the PCCSHR to hold an unscheduled meeting and discuss what's happening in Moscow.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/news/2019/07/20/806907-vibori|title=Оппозиционеры предложили Собянину встретиться и обсудить выборы в Мосгордуму|last=Ведомости|date=2019-07-20|website=vedomosti.ru|access-date=2019-07-31}}

On July 23, the CEC head, Ella Pamfilova, held a meeting with independent candidates to discuss the situation and stated that it would be impossible to register all those candidates who collected signatures at the elections.{{Cite web|url=https://tass.ru/moskva/6695105|title=Выборы в Мосгордуму. Памфилова встретилась с кандидатами в депутаты|website=ТАСС|access-date=2019-07-31}} She pointed out that their signatures should be rechecked.{{Cite web|url=https://daily.afisha.ru/news/28860-ella-pamfilova-podpisi-nezaregistrirovannyh-kandidatov-stoit-pereproverit/|title=Элла Памфилова: подписи незарегистрированных кандидатов стоит перепроверить|website=Афиша|access-date=2019-07-31}} Independent candidates sent complaints to the CEC about the refusals of district commissions, but Pamfilova replied that they do not obey the CEC. The candidates remained dissatisfied with the meeting, because the CEC head didn't show any desire to intervene to the situation.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/articles/2019/07/23/807142-vstrecha-pamfilovoi|title=Встреча с Памфиловой не убедила оппозиционеров в необходимости отказа от протестов|last=Ведомости|date=2019-07-23|website=vedomosti.ru|access-date=2019-07-31}} On the contrary, Pamfilova blamed Navalny in making obstacles to register the independent candidates.{{Cite web|url=https://zona.media/news/2019/07/24/pamfilova-cik|title=Памфилова разглядела желание Навального снять независимых кандидатов с выборов в Мосгордуму|website=Медиазона|access-date=2019-07-31}}

On the morning of July 24, Alexey Navalny was detained at the entrance of his house. The same evening, he was sentenced to 30 days in administrative arrest for calling for a rally on July 27.{{Cite web|url=https://www.novayagazeta.ru/news/2019/07/24/153642-alekseya-navalnogo-arestovali-na-20-sutok|title=Алексея Навального арестовали на 30 суток за призывы к участию в несанкционированном митинге|website=Новая газета - Novayagazeta.ru|language=ru|access-date=2019-07-31|archive-date=2019-07-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724194554/https://www.novayagazeta.ru/news/2019/07/24/153642-alekseya-navalnogo-arestovali-na-20-sutok|url-status=dead}} The sentence was seemed to be connected with his July 22 publication of a photo of Italian permanent residency document belonging to pro-government journalist Vladimir Solovyov. Solovyov, in turn, accused Navalny in 'judicial incompetence'{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/news-49074364|title=Навальный нашел у Соловьева вид на жительство в Италии. Ведущий ему ответил|date=2019-07-22|access-date=2019-07-31}}{{Cite web|url=https://og.ru/society/2019/01/22/101743|title=ФБК нашел у телеведущего Владимира Соловьева вторую виллу на озере Комо|date=2019-01-22|website=Общая Газета|language=ru|access-date=2019-07-31|archive-date=2019-07-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731220824/https://og.ru/society/2019/01/22/101743|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://theins.ru/news/167614|title=Обнаруженные Навальным документы указывают на то, что Соловьев - налоговый резидент Италии - юрист|date=2019-07-23|website=The Insider|language=ru-RU|access-date=2019-07-31}}

The Office of the Investigative Committee in Moscow opened a criminal case under article 141 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("Hindering the exercise of electoral rights or the work of election commissions") because of a spontaneous rally near the MCEC.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/articles/2019/07/24/807191-skr-mosgorizbirkoma|title=СКР возбудил дело из-за стихийного митинга у Мосгоризбиркома|last=Ведомости|date=2019-07-24|website=vedomosti.ru|access-date=2019-07-31}} On the evening of July 24, police searched the unregistered candidates Dmitry Gudkov and Ivan Zhdanov. The police also came with searches to Alexander Solovyov and Nikolai Balandin. Ivan Zhdanov after the search was taken for interrogation.{{Cite web|url=https://www.novayagazeta.ru/news/2019/07/24/153646-k-direktoru-fbk-ivanu-zhdanovu-prishli-s-obyskami|title=К директору ФБК Ивану Жданову пришли с обысками|website=Новая газета - Novayagazeta.ru|language=ru|access-date=2019-07-31|archive-date=2019-07-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724200008/https://www.novayagazeta.ru/news/2019/07/24/153646-k-direktoru-fbk-ivanu-zhdanovu-prishli-s-obyskami|url-status=dead}} Dmitry and Gennady Gudkov, Lyubov Sobol, Elena Rusakova and Yulia Galyamina were also summoned for interrogation.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/news/2019/07/24/807229-gudkovu|title=К Дмитрию Гудкову пришли с обыском|last=Ведомости|date=2019-07-24|website=vedomosti.ru|access-date=2019-07-31}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.znak.com/2019-07-24/eche_dva_obyska_pravoohraniteli_prishli_k_soratnikam_gudkova_baldinu_i_solovevu|title=Еще два обыска: правоохранители пришли к соратникам Гудкова — Баландину и Соловьеву|website=znak.com|access-date=2019-07-31|archive-date=2019-07-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724205939/https://www.znak.com/2019-07-24/eche_dva_obyska_pravoohraniteli_prishli_k_soratnikam_gudkova_baldinu_i_solovevu|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://zona.media/chronicle/mosgorsearch|title=Выборы в Мосгордуму. Обыски и допросы|website=Медиазона|access-date=2019-07-31}}

On July 25, the MCEC, on the recommendation of the working group on the analysis of candidates' complaints, approved the decisions of the district election commissions to refuse to register candidates Dmitry Gudkov, Ivan Zhdanov, Konstantin Yankauskas, Yulia Serebryanskaya and Konstantin Lisitsa.{{Cite web|url=https://www.interfax.ru/moscow/670469|title=Мосгоризбирком отказал в регистрации пяти кандидатам в Мосгордуму|website=Interfax.ru|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-01}} Lyubov Sobol, after a meeting of the working group on the analysis of candidates' complaints, which decided to reject her complaint about the refusal of registration, announced that she would continue the hunger strike right in the building of the MCEC, waiting for Ella Pamfilova. At midnight, the guards of the MCEC pulled out a sofa on which Lyubov Sobol was sitting, in order to "shake out bedbugs and parasites".{{Cite web|url=https://www.interfax.ru/moscow/670491|title=Полицейские на диване вынесли Любовь Соболь из Мосгоризбиркома|website=Interfax.ru|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-01}} This was stated by a member of the election commission Dmitry Reut.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/rbcfreenews/5d3ab0419a7947d38eda69f9|title=В Мосгоризбиркоме объяснили вынос дивана с Соболь борьбой с клопами|website=РБК|date=26 July 2019 |access-date=2019-08-01}}

On July 26, the MCEC approved the refusals to register Lyubov Sobol, Andrei Babushkin, Elena Rusakova and Ekaterina Ignatova.{{Cite web|url=https://meduza.io/news/2019/07/26/mosgorizbirkom-otkazal-lyubovi-sobol-v-registratsii-kandidatom-v-deputaty-gorodskoy-dumy|title=Мосгоризбирком отказал Любови Соболь в регистрации кандидатом в депутаты городской думы|website=meduza.io|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-01}} The Moscow prosecutor's office put 15 candidates for deputies of the Moscow City Duma under an administrative investigation, most of whom were not registered in the elections, due to calls for an unauthorized mass rally planned for July 27.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/news/2019/07/26/807379-prokuratura|title=Прокуратура начала расследование против не допущенных на выборы в Мосгордуму|last=Ведомости|date=2019-07-26|website=vedomosti.ru|access-date=2019-08-01}} On the evening of July 26, searches were conducted at the headquarters of Lyubov Sobol, Ivan Zhdanov, Ilya Yashin, Dmitry Gudkov and Yulia Galyamina. Night searches were also held in the apartments of Konstantin Yankauskas's parents and 80-years-old grandmother, at the address of registered candidate Klochkov and registered candidate Darya Besedina.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/society/26/07/2019/5d3b364f9a79470db144cbf9|title=Следователи пришли с обысками в фонд Навального и штаб Яшина|website=РБК|date=26 July 2019 |access-date=2019-08-01}} After the search, which ended at 1 a.m., Yashin was detained.{{Cite web|url=https://meduza.io/news/2019/07/27/ilyu-yashina-posle-obyska-otvezli-v-otdel-politsii-podmoskovnogo-troitska-pri-obyske-iz-yali-odnu-knigu|title=Илью Яшина после обыска отвезли в отдел полиции Троицка. При обыске изъяли одну книгу|website=meduza.io|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-01}}

On the morning of July 27, searches were conducted at the apartments of Yulia Galyamina and Navalny's press secretary Kira Yarmysh.{{Cite web|url=https://tvrain.ru/news/k_sotrudnikam_fbk_kire_jarmysh_i_ruslanu_shaveddinovu_prishli_s_obyskami-490356/|title=К сотрудникам ФБК Кире Ярмыш и Руслану Шаведдинову пришли с обысками|date=2019-07-27|website=tvrain.ru|access-date=2019-08-01}}

The Constitution of the Russian Federation allows peaceful assemblies of citizens without any approval (Article 31), but the Law on rallies adopted in 2004 requires their approval by the authorities. De jure, this order should be informative, but de facto it is prohibitive. Therefore, many lawyers consider the actions of the authorities to prohibit and disperse the July 27 rally and other similar rallies as a flagrant violation of the Russian constitution (for example, see Strategy-31). July 27 rally was not approved by the authorities, and police had warned of responsibility for organizing and participating in unapproved public events.{{Cite web|url=https://ria.ru/20190726/1556905891.html|title=Полиция предупредила о недопустимости проведения в Москве акции 27 июля|date=2019-07-26|website=РИА Новости|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-01}}

On the morning July 27, police detained protest leaders Ivan Zhdanov, Lyubov Sobol, Dmitry Gudkov, Ilya Yashin, and Yulia Galyamina.{{Cite web|url=https://zona.media/chronicle/mosgorsearch|title=Выборы в Мосгордуму. Обыски и допросы|website=Медиазона|access-date=2019-08-01}} They were imprisoned until 6.40 - 6.50 pm. The rally should have started at 2 p.m. However, at 12 a.m., 2 hours before the start, the police had already detained the first person - a jogger (who turned up to be the author of MosMetro new logo), which has been doing his morning run. During arrest, policemen broke his leg.{{Cite web|url=https://ovdinfo.org/stories/2019/07/28/zachem-ubegal-avtoru-logotipa-moskovskogo-metro-slomali-nogu-pered-akciey-u-merii|title="А зачем убегал?": автору логотипа московского метро сломали ногу перед акцией у мэрии|website=ОВД-Инфо|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-01}} Later, the ICR stated that police actions were lawful in this case.{{Cite web|url=https://www.interfax.ru/moscow/672465|title=СК оправдал действия полицейских, сломавших ногу задержанному 27 июля|website=Interfax.ru|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-12}} Metal fences, buses, and lorries blocked the entrance on Tverskaya Street. Mobile connection was blocked.{{Cite web|url=https://meduza.io/feature/2019/07/28/tysyachi-protestuyuschih-proveli-den-v-tsentre-moskvy-bez-liderov-i-pri-zhestkom-protivodeystvii-silovikov-reportazh-kristiny-safonovoy|title=Тысячи протестующих провели день в центре Москвы — без лидеров и при жестком противодействии силовиков. Репортаж Кристины Сафоновой|website=meduza.io|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-01}} All shops and cafes in the area of Tverskaya Street and Pushkinskaya Square were closed "due to technical reasons". As it was revealed later, police and National Guard troops were dispatched from neighboring oblasts: Vladimir, Kaluga, Ryazan, Tver, Tula, Smolensk, Yaroslavl and Moscow.{{efn|Moscow City and Moscow Oblast are two different federal subjects of Russia.|name=|group=}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.znak.com/2019-08-01/policeyskim_ne_zaplatili_za_zhestkiy_razgon_mitinga_oppozicii_27_iyulya_v_moskve|title=Полицейским не заплатили за жесткий разгон митинга оппозиции 27 июля в Москве|website=znak.com|access-date=2019-08-01|archive-date=2019-08-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801113610/https://www.znak.com/2019-08-01/policeyskim_ne_zaplatili_za_zhestkiy_razgon_mitinga_oppozicii_27_iyulya_v_moskve|url-status=dead}} Besides that, the police had 'civil' agents among the protestors.{{Cite tweet|number=1155119706010988546|title=Человек в штатском указывает на митинге, кого забирать. Представляться не хочет. На вопросы нашего корреспондента не ответил, а после и его сказал задержать, но пока всё обошлось. Задержанных — 561 человек we.the-village.ru/rsAK pic.twitter.com/5of9y8OaWV|last=Village|first=The|date=2019-07-27|user=villagemsk|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-01}}

Russian Guard forced out protesters from Tverskaya Street in the alleys by 4 p.m. After that, the protesters divided into small groups of 300-1000 people and walked through the whole center Moscow for several hours, shouting demands for registration of candidates to the Moscow City Duma and the resignation of Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. One of these groups blocked the traffic on the Garden Ring for several minutes. Among protesters, there was no prominent opposition politicians, and groups marched without obvious leaders{{Cite tweet|number=1155135860934959104|title=Шествие идет по Цветному бульвару в сторону Садового кольца.pic.twitter.com/laE1PtUYY7|last=Мартин|first=Тот самый|date=2019-07-27|user=martin_camera|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-01}}

At 5 p.m., the police knocked out the door to the studio of the channel "Navalny LIVE" and conducted a search. Broadcast host Vladimir Milov and four channel employees were detained.{{Cite web|url=https://meduza.io/news/2019/07/27/politsiya-vorvalas-v-studiyu-navalnyy-live|title=Полиция ворвалась в студию "Навальный Live"|website=meduza.io|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-01}} A few minutes later, the police came to the editorial office of the TV Rain channel, and handed to the editor-in-chief Perepelova a writ to interrogation as a witness in a criminal case on obstructing the work of the MCEC.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/society/27/07/2019/5d3c58a09a79475742d24b10|title=В редакцию телеканала "Дождь" пришла полиция|website=РБК|date=27 July 2019 |access-date=2019-08-01}}

Between 6.40 and 6.50 p.m., the judges in different parts of Moscow suddenly began to postpone the hearings on the cases of the candidates detained in the morning, thus making them free. Once free, they headed to Trubnaya Square, where protesters gathered. There they all were detained again,{{Cite web|url=https://meduza.io/news/2019/07/27/ilyu-yashina-otpustili-na-svobodu-on-otpravilsya-v-tsentr-moskvy-mitingovat-za-svobodnye-vybory|title=Илью Яшина отпустили на свободу. Он отправился митинговать в центр Москвы|website=meduza.io|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-01}} except for Dmitry Gudkov, who was detained the next day.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/news-49144150|title=Дмитрий Гудков снова задержан после разгона митинга в Москве|date=2019-07-28|access-date=2019-08-01}}

By 8 p.m., police dispersed people from Trubnaya Square. The total number of detainees was 1074 people according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs{{Cite web|url=https://www.interfax.ru/moscow/670782|title=На акции 27 июля в Москве задержали почти полсотни несовершеннолетних|website=Interfax.ru|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-01}} and 1373 people according to "OVD-Info".{{Cite web|url=https://ovdinfo.org/news/2019/07/27/spisok-zaderzhannyh-na-akcii-protiv-nedopuska-kandidatov-na-vybory-27-iyulya-2019|title=Список задержанных на акции против недопуска кандидатов на выборы 27 июля 2019 года|website=ОВД-Инфо|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-01}} The rally established a record for the number of detainees.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/ru/%D0%B3%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%B0%D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%80%D1%8B-%D0%BE%D0%B1%D0%B5%D1%89%D0%B0%D0%B5%D1%82-%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B6%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%BC-%D0%B2-%D0%BC%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B2%D0%B5-%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%BA%D0%B0%D1%82%D1%81%D0%BA%D1%83%D1%8E-%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B4%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B6%D0%BA%D1%83-%D0%B2-%D0%B5%D1%81%D0%BF%D1%87/a-49776547|title=Глава "Агоры" обещает задержанным в Москве адвокатскую поддержку в ЕСПЧ {{!}} DW {{!}} 28.07.2019|website=Deutsche Welle|language=ru-RU|access-date=2019-08-01}} The police acted harshly: they used batons and set service dogs.{{Cite tweet|number=1155134944865390592|title=На каких фильмах росли эти омоновцы?pic.twitter.com/A10NFvwIJB|last=Козловский|first=Олег|date=2019-07-27|user=kozlovsky|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-01}} Dozens of people suffered.{{Cite news|url=https://www.svoboda.org/a/30078890.html|title=В Москве на мирных акциях были избиты десятки человек|website=Радио Свобода|date=31 July 2019 |language=ru|access-date=2019-08-01}}

State owned media completely ignored the rally.{{Cite web|url=https://meduza.io/feature/2019/07/28/ne-nadeytes-v-rossii-vlast-silnaya|title=Не надейтесь, в России власть сильная!|website=meduza.io|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-01}} International media reported many detainees.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/27/world/europe/moscow-protest-election-russia.html|title=Moscow Police Arrest More Than 1,300 at Election Protest|last=Nechepurenko|first=Ivan|date=2019-07-27|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-08-01|issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-49125045|title=Thousand arrests at Moscow election protest|date=2019-07-27|access-date=2019-08-01}}

Due to the fact that the crowd was originally divided into several parts, it is hard to estimate the size of the rally. An official estimate of 3,500{{Cite web|url=https://rg.ru/2019/07/27/reg-cfo/iz-3500-uchastnikov-akcii-na-tverskoj-700-zhurnalisty-i-blogery.html|title=Из 3500 участников акции на Тверской - 700 журналисты и блогеры|website=Российская газета|date=27 July 2019 |language=ru|access-date=2019-08-01}} participants seems completely unrealistic given that 1,373 were detained. Independent sources give an estimation of 15-20 thousand participants.{{Cite web|url=https://theins.ru/antifake/168926|title=Пропагандистские СМИ в несколько раз преуменьшили количество участников акции на Тверской, зато преувеличили численность пророссийского митинга в Грузии|date=2019-07-29|website=The Insider|language=ru-RU|access-date=2019-08-01}} The social media influencer, Ekaterina Lisina (Yekaterina Lisina), was present and stated that her estimation of the crowd was close to 15,000 - 20,000.

Starting from July 27, 2019, election campaign turned into criminal investigation environment.{{Cite web|url=https://echo.msk.ru/blog/kirillmartyn/2475661-echo/|title=Блоги / Кирилл Мартынов: Когда общество не выступает против войны, война приходит в общество|last=Мартынов|first=Кирилл|website=Эхо Москвы|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-02}}

The EU condemned numerous detentions and disproportionate use of force and called Russia to respect its OSCE commitments and other international obligations.{{Cite web|url=https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/65919/statement-spokesperson-detention-over-thousand-peaceful-protesters-moscow_en|title=Statement by the spokesperson on the detention of over a thousand peaceful protesters in Moscow|website=EEAS - European External Action Service - European Commission|access-date=2019-08-01}}

The PACE expressed deep concern at the arrest and detention of hundreds of people.{{Cite web|url=http://assembly.coe.int/nw/xml/News/News-View-EN.asp?newsid=7587&lang=2&cat=15|title=PACE: News|website=assembly.coe.int|access-date=2019-08-01}}

The US condemned detentions more than 100 people and disproportionate use of force.{{Cite tweet|number=1155396739567955968|title=Detention of over 1000 peaceful protestors in #Russia and use of disproportionate police force undermine rights of citizens to participate in the democratic process. Free elections & peaceful assembly are guaranteed in the constitution and Universal Declaration of Human Rights.|last=Kalan|first=Andrea|date=2019-07-28|user=USEmbRuPress|access-date=2019-08-01}}

The UK expressed a deep concern about detentions and called Russia to comply with its international commitments on human rights.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/russia-fco-spokesperson-statement-in-response-to-moscow-arrests|title=Moscow protester arrests: Foreign Office spokesperson statement|website=GOV.UK|access-date=2019-08-01}}

Germany called police actions "violent".{{Cite tweet|number=1155542972924125184|title=Die brutale Gewalt gegen friedliche Demonstrantinnen & Demonstranten in Moskau ist ein Anschlag auf die Demokratie und den Rechtsstaat. Die russische Führung missachtet damit Prinzipien, zu denen sie sich als Mitglied des Europarates & der OSZE selbst verpflichtet hat.https://twitter.com/eu_eeas/status/1155231670758494208 …|last=MdB 🇪🇺|first=Michael Roth|date=2019-07-28|user=MiRo_SPD|language=de|access-date=2019-08-01}}

Canada expressed deep concern and called to refrain from violence.{{Cite tweet|number=1155937471533727744|title=Canada is gravely concerned 1000+ peaceful protesters were detained in advance of upcoming #Moscow elections. Freedom of assembly and expression are fundamental rights & enshrined in constitution. We call on #Russian authorities to respect these rights & refrain from violence.|date=2019-07-29|user=CanadaFP|access-date=2019-08-01}}

France called for release of all detainees.{{Cite tweet|number=1156198907216584704|title=#Russia A large number of people have been arrested and detained following peaceful demonstrations in Moscow in recent days. The health of Mr Navalny has deteriorated dramatically. France calls for their swift release and expresses its deep concern. fdip.fr/RXknVDt5 pic.twitter.com/8N4ik3H67y|last=Diplomacy 🇫🇷|first=France|date=2019-07-30|user=francediplo_EN|access-date=2019-08-01}}

Only on the evening of July 28 Russian state owned media broke the silence about protests. State owned media didn't make their own video from the rally, they used short fragments from channel TV Rain's video and from Twitter. Official point of view was presented by journalist Vladimir Solovyov in his TV show "Sunday evening".{{Citation|title=Воскресный вечер с Владимиром Соловьевым от 28.07.19|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkeLzsA4zjM|access-date=2019-08-02}} He claimed that independent candidates didn't use legal appeals, claimed that 20% of participants of protests were journalists, praised Police for 'acting politely, unlike in France' and called protestors 'very aggressive'. Solovyov also blamed demonstrators on 'disrupting road traffic' and 'blocking ambulance'. He accused organizers of protests in 'attempt of overthrowing of constitutional order' and 'violating the law'

On July 30, Moscow Mayor Sobyanin commented on the situation.{{Citation|title=Собянин прокомментировал субботнюю акцию оппозиции в Москве|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tMmk6w3L8A|access-date=2019-08-02}} He accused protesters in igniting riots, attempting to take over Moscow City Hall and 'forcing police to use force'. He also stated that protesters wanted to 'come to power through loud shout like in Zimbabwe'.{{Cite web|url=https://varlamov.ru/3537999.html|title=Хотите как в Зимбабве?|website=varlamov.ru|access-date=2019-08-10}}

Member of the Civic Chamber of Moscow and editor-in-chief of Echo of Moscow Alexei Venediktov replied Sobyanin that none of his points is true.{{Cite web|url=https://echo.msk.ru/blog/aav/2473987-echo/|title=Блоги / ААВ-старший: Когда ты видишь мир перевернутым, он перевернет тебя в конце концов|last=ААВ-старший|website=Эхо Москвы|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-04}}

Later the PCCSHR found no evidence of civil discorder during th July 27 rally.{{Cite web|url=https://echo.msk.ru/news/2482107-echo.html|title=Президентский совет по правам человека не нашел признаков массовых беспорядков на акции в Москве 27 июля.|website=Эхо Москвы|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-13}}

Tina Kandelaki called protestors to "go to Siberia and fight the wildfire".{{Cite web|url=https://echo.msk.ru/blog/kandelaki/2472363-echo/|title=Блоги / Тина Канделаки: #Сибирьзадыхается|last=Канделаки|first=Тина|website=Эхо Москвы|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-02}} Why the official authorities do nothing about the wildfire, and some even state that "nothing should be done about that",{{Cite web|url=https://ria.ru/20190729/1556969481.html|title=Красноярский губернатор назвал тушение ряда лесных пожаров бессмысленным|date=2019-07-29|website=РИА Новости|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-02}} she didn't specify.

During the rally a policeman hit a woman, which caused a severe bloody wound on her head.{{Cite tweet|number=1155097945173299200|title=ОМОНовец разбил голову девушке. Говорит, предлагал ей вызвать скорую, но она отказалась, передает наш журналист Даша Зеленая. Фото: @lisakirpanova / @novaya_gazetapic.twitter.com/qy2SDWtbfU|last=Газета|first=Новая|date=2019-07-27|user=novaya_gazeta|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-04}} She started to smear the policeman, who hit her, with her blood. Margarita Simonyan commented on this situation: "I know people who would pay a lot to be engaged in such a perverted sex".{{Cite tweet|number=1155394913221169152|title=Это твит человека, который строит из себя морального авторитета. Давайте такое не забыватьpic.twitter.com/FRRB8IB9YF|last=Смирнов|date=2019-07-28|user=sssmirnov|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-02}}

Many protesters and bystanders have been arrested. Some have been charged with offenses that carry possible long prison terms. Financial Times reports: "In Mr Zhukov's case, the evidence of him using 'violence' is a video in which he tries to lift up a riot policeman's helmet visor, according to Pavel Chikov, head of public defence NGO Agora."[https://www.ft.com/content/8303287e-b451-11e9-bec9-fdcab53d6959 Moscow protesters face up to 8 years in prison amid Kremlin crackdown]. Max Seddon, Aug 1, 2019. Financial Times.

A list of some of the heavily charged detainees from July 27 and August 3, 2019, onwards.{{Cite web|url=https://zona.media/article/2019/08/01/figuranty|title=Дело о московских выборах. Что мы знаем о первых обвиняемых в участии в "массовых беспорядках"|website=Медиазона|access-date=2019-08-03}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.znak.com/2019-08-02/po_delu_o_massovyh_besporyadkah_zaderzhan_samyy_molodoy_chlen_komandy_gudkova|title=По делу о массовых беспорядках задержан самый молодой член команды Гудкова|website=znak.com|access-date=2019-08-03|archive-date=2019-08-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803181816/https://www.znak.com/2019-08-02/po_delu_o_massovyh_besporyadkah_zaderzhan_samyy_molodoy_chlen_komandy_gudkova|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://ovdinfo.org/express-news/2019/08/03/zaderzhannomu-na-akcii-27-iyulya-predyavili-obvinenie-po-delu-o-massovyh|title=Задержанному на акции 27 июля предъявили обвинение по делу о массовых беспорядках|website=ОВД-Инфо|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-03}}{{Cite web|url=https://ovdinfo.org/express-news/2019/08/03/uchastnika-mitinga-27-iyulya-posle-osvobozhdeniya-iz-pod-aresta-povezli-v-sk|title=Участника митинга 27 июля после освобождения из-под ареста повезли в СК для предъявления обвинения|website=ОВД-Инфо|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-03}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.interfax.ru/russia/672222|title=Суд арестовал 12-го фигуранта "дела 27 июля"|website=Interfax.ru|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-11}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.novayagazeta.ru/articles/2019/08/11/81564-osobo-opasnyy-glyukometr|title=Особо опасный глюкометр|date=2019-08-11|website=Новая газета - Novayagazeta.ru|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-11}}{{Cite web|url=https://varlamov.ru/3545663.html|title=Список фигурантов дела о массовых беспорядках 27 июля|website=varlamov.ru|access-date=2019-08-17}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/articles/2019/09/03/810322-sk-prekratil|title=СК прекратил уголовное преследование четырех фигурантов дела о беспорядках|last=Ведомости|date=2019-09-03|website=vedomosti.ru|access-date=2019-09-09}}{{Cite web|url=https://zona.media/article/2019/10/15/figuranty-4|title="Московское дело" не отступает. Что мы знаем об Андрее Баршае, Егоре Лесных, Владимире Емельянове, Максиме Мартинцове и Александре Мыльникове|website=Медиазона|language=en|access-date=2019-10-19}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/rbcfreenews/5ddfaf219a7947beeeb6542c|title=СК сообщил о задержании нового фигуранта "дела 27 июля"|website=РБК|date=28 November 2019 |access-date=2019-11-28}}{{Cite web|url=https://echo.msk.ru/news/2550035-echo.html|title=Пятый сегодняшний приговор по "московскому" делу стал самым суровым|website=Эхо Москвы|language=ru|access-date=2019-12-06}}

The opposition submitted a request for a rally on 3 August on Lubyanka Square. The authorities offered Sakharov Avenue instead. Opposition representatives didn't agree. On July 30, after some negotiations opposition representative, Mikhail Svetov, was arrested immediately after leaving the City Hall.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/news-49166316|title=Новый митинг в Москве: переговоры с мэрией провалились, один из организаторов задержан|date=2019-07-30|access-date=2019-08-04}} The next day he was imprisoned for 30 days.{{Cite web|url=https://zona.media/online/2019/07/31/svtv|title=Михаил Светов. Арест после переговоров в мэрии|website=Медиазона|access-date=2019-08-04}} The only opposition leader at liberty, Lyubov Sobol, called for a peaceful procession along the Boulevard Ring.{{Cite web|url=https://meduza.io/news/2019/07/30/lyubov-sobol-prizvala-k-mirnomu-shestviyu-po-bulvarnomu-koltsu-moskvy|title=Любовь Соболь призвала к мирному шествию по Бульварному кольцу Москвы|date=2019-07-30|website=meduza.io|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-04}} The police warned that this procession is not approved and called to refrain from participating in it.{{Cite web|url=https://meduza.io/news/2019/07/30/politsiya-predupredila-o-nezakonnosti-aktsii-protesta-3-avgusta-v-moskve|title=Полиция предупредила о незаконности акции протеста 3 августа в Москве|date=2019-07-30|website=meduza.io|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-04}}

On July 31, the free fest "Shashlyk.live" in Gorky Park was announced on 3 August, the same day as unapproved procession.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/other-news-49222580|title="Шашлык.Live" против митинга за честные выборы: фото|date=2019-08-03|access-date=2019-08-04}} However several bands refused to participate in it "due to unstable political situation".{{Cite web|url=https://www.znak.com/2019-08-03/gruppa_nogu_svelo_otkazalas_vystupat_na_shashlyk_live|title=Группа "Ногу свело!" отказалась выступать на "Шашлык Live"|website=znak.com|access-date=2019-08-04|archive-date=2019-08-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803181738/https://www.znak.com/2019-08-03/gruppa_nogu_svelo_otkazalas_vystupat_na_shashlyk_live|url-status=dead}} The authorities claimed that 305.000 people visited the fest,{{Cite web|url=https://www.mos.ru/news/item/59821073/|title=Фестиваль "Шашлык Live" в субботу посетили 305 тысяч человек|date=2019-08-04|website=Сайт Москвы|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-10}} yet this number seems unrealistic.{{Cite web|url=https://meduza.io/short/2019/08/05/rekordy-poseschaemosti-muzykalnyh-festivaley-shashlyk-live-za-neskolko-dney-podgotovki-stal-odnim-iz-samyh-populyarnyh-v-mire|title=Рекорды посещаемости музыкальных фестивалей. "Шашлык Live" (за несколько дней подготовки!) стал одним из самых популярных в мире|website=meduza.io|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806160012/https://meduza.io/short/2019/08/05/rekordy-poseschaemosti-muzykalnyh-festivaley-shashlyk-live-za-neskolko-dney-podgotovki-stal-odnim-iz-samyh-populyarnyh-v-mire |archive-date=2019-08-06 |access-date=2019-08-10}} Independent sources reported about 1500 spectators at once.{{Cite web|url=https://medialeaks.ru/0508lug-shashlyk-live/|title="Ты не поверишь, но это «Шашлык Live". Как и почему люди высмеивают московский фестиваль|date=2019-08-05|website=MediaLeaks|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-10}} The official numbers have become a meme.

Starting from July 31, the independent candidates begin to submit registration denial complaints to the CEC.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/politics/31/07/2019/5d41563b9a794775af0c6163|title=Памфилова отказалась считать ЦИК беспомощной в ситуации с Мосгордумой|website=РБК|access-date=2019-08-04}}

On August 1, the FBK published an investigation of the vice-mayor Natalya Sergunina's property. Sergunina is responsible for the election process in Moscow. The FBK estimates Sergunina's (along with close relatives) undeclared real estate value at 6.5 billion rub (~ US$100 mln).{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.ru/obshchestvo/381091-navalnyy-nashel-u-semi-pervogo-vice-mera-imushchestvo-na-65-mlrd-rubley|title=Навальный нашел у семьи первого вице-мэра имущество на 6,5 млрд рублей {{!}} Общество|date=2019-08-01|website=Forbes.ru|access-date=2019-08-04|archive-date=2019-08-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802000940/https://www.forbes.ru/obshchestvo/381091-navalnyy-nashel-u-semi-pervogo-vice-mera-imushchestvo-na-65-mlrd-rubley|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4048025|title=ФБК нашел у семьи вице-мэра Москвы недвижимость на 6,5 млрд рублей|date=2019-08-01|website=kommersant.ru|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-04}} On August 3, the ICR opened a criminal case against the FBK on laundering 1 billion rub (~US$15.5 mln).{{Cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/society/03/08/2019/5d457c5f9a79476c2db70a3b|title=СК возбудил дело об отмывании ФБК Навального 1 млрд руб.|website=РБК|access-date=2019-08-04}}

As in the previous case, potential leaders, Sobol{{Cite web|url=https://www.interfax.ru/moscow/671490|title=Соболь оштрафовали на 300 тысяч рублей за организацию несанкционированной акции|website=Interfax.ru|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-04}} and Yankauskas{{Cite web|url=https://zona.media/news/2019/08/03/yank|title=На задержанного после административного ареста муниципального депутата Янкаускаса решили составить протокол за акцию 14 июля|website=Медиазона|access-date=2019-08-04}} (his previous detention expired on August 3) were detained before the start of the rally. Lyubov Sobol was fined 300 000 rub (~US$4700). The rally started at 2 p.m. and had multiple points of activity: Pushkinskaya Square, Trubnaya Square, Turgenevskaya Square and Arbat Street.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/articles/2019/08/03/808008-glavnoe|title=Разгон протестующих на Бульварном кольце. Главное|last=Ведомости|date=2019-08-03|website=vedomosti.ru|access-date=2019-08-04}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/features-49222560|title="Им по фигу кого грести!" Как прошла протестная прогулка оппозиции|last=Козлов|first=Елизавета Фохт, Анастасия Голубева, Петр|date=2019-08-03|access-date=2019-08-04}} These sites were blocked by the police, which started to detain people from the beginning of the rally. According to OVD-info, 1001 people were detained, at least 19 people suffered.{{Cite web|url=https://tvrain.ru/news/ovd_info_na_aktsii_protesta_v_moskve_3_avgusta_zaderzhali_tysjachu_chelovek-490918/|title="ОВД-Инфо": на акции протеста в Москве 3 августа задержали тысячу человек|date=2019-08-04|website=tvrain.ru|access-date=2019-08-04}} According to the police, "around 600" people were detained.{{Cite web|url=https://govoritmoskva.ru/news/206032/|title=МВД подтвердило задержание 600 человек на несанкционированной акции в Москве|website=govoritmoskva.ru|access-date=2019-08-04}} Some former Berkut officers from Ukraine were noticed among the police at the rally.{{Cite web|url=https://www.the-village.ru/village/city/react/358219-borolis|title=Митинг полиции: Как силовики подавляли акцию на Бульварном кольце|date=2019-08-04|website=The Village|access-date=2019-08-04}}

Due to the fact that the rally had multiple centers, it is hard to estimate the size of the rally. The police estimates the rally of 1500 people, what seems doubtful given the fact that 1001 were detained. Independent sources give an estimation of 5-20 thousand participants.{{Cite web|url=https://meduza.io/feature/2019/08/04/sotni-zaderzhannyh-doprosy-organizatorov-i-ugolovnoe-delo-protiv-fbk|title=Больше тысячи задержанных, допросы организаторов и уголовное дело против ФБК|date=2019-08-04|website=meduza.io|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-04}}{{Cite web|url=https://rusmonitor.com/protesty-3-avgusta-v-moskve-khronika.html|title=Протесты 3 августа в Москве. Хроника|website=Русский Монитор {{!}} Russian Monitor|language=ru-RU|access-date=2019-08-04}}

State owned media didn't broadcast the rally. International media reported many detainees and police violence.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bild.de/politik/ausland/politik-ausland/moskau-putin-kritikerin-lyubov-sobol-vor-protesten-abgefuehrt-63732170.bild.html|title=Moskau: Putin-Kritikerin Lyubov Sobol vor Protesten abgeführt|website=bild.de|language=de|access-date=2019-08-04}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-49218726|title=More than 600 detained in banned Russian protest|date=2019-08-03|access-date=2019-08-04}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.euronews.com/2019/08/02/muscovites-vow-to-protest-again-despite-police-detentions|title=Muscovites vow to protest again despite police detentions|website=euronews.com|access-date=2019-08-04}}

During the rally, authorities carried out a targeted Internet shutdown in the center of Moscow. The three largest mobile operators tried to explain the lack of mobile Internet to be a result of "overcrowding", but their arguments were untenable.{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakdoffman/2019/08/08/russian-security-agencies-secretly-shut-moscows-mobile-internet-to-control-protestors-report/#1d528dda75bf|title=Russian Authorities 'Secretly' Shut Down Moscow's Mobile Internet: Report|last1=Doffman|first1=Zak|date=8 August 2019|work=Forbes|access-date=11 August 2019}}

File:St_Petersburg.2019-08-02.Solidarity_with_Moscow_protests_rally.IMG_3913.jpg rally in support of opposition candidates for the Moscow City Duma. Aug 2, 2019.]]

Rally in support of the Moscow independent candidates in Saint Petersburg was approved by the authorities.{{Cite web|url=https://www.znak.com/2019-07-30/v_peterburge_soglasovali_miting_v_podderzhku_moskovskih_kandidatov|title=В Петербурге согласовали митинг в поддержку московских кандидатов|website=znak.com|access-date=2019-08-04|archive-date=2019-07-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730185251/https://www.znak.com/2019-07-30/v_peterburge_soglasovali_miting_v_podderzhku_moskovskih_kandidatov|url-status=dead}} Nevertheless, the prosecutor's office warned of responsibility for participation in an unapproved rally.{{Cite web|url=https://www.novayagazeta.ru/news/2019/08/02/153913-prokuratura-prigrozila-otvetstvennostyu-za-miting-3-avgusta-v-gayd-parke-peterburga-organizatoram-ego-soglasovali|title=Прокуратура пригрозила ответственностью за митинг 3 августа в гайд-парке Петербурга|website=Новая газета - Novayagazeta.ru|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-04}} Still, only 2 participants were detained during the rally. The police estimates the rally of 1000 participants,{{Cite web|url=https://www.fontanka.ru/2019/08/03/036/|title=Митинг на площади Ленина закончился. Полиция оценивает число участников в тысячу человек|date=2019-08-03|website=fontanka.ru|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-04}} independent sources estimate the rally of 2000 people.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/ru/%D0%B2-%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%BA%D1%82-%D0%BF%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B1%D1%83%D1%80%D0%B3%D0%B5-%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%88%D0%BB%D0%B0-%D0%B0%D0%BA%D1%86%D0%B8%D1%8F-%D0%B7%D0%B0-%D1%87%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B5-%D0%B2%D1%8B%D0%B1%D0%BE%D1%80%D1%8B-%D0%B2-%D0%BC%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B4%D1%83%D0%BC%D1%83/a-49878302|title=В Санкт-Петербурге прошла акция за честные выборы в Мосгордуму {{!}} DW {{!}} 03.08.2019|website=Deutsche Welle|language=ru-RU|access-date=2019-08-04}}

Small meetings in support of the Moscow opposition also took place in Berlin{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2530780083651622&id=100001589654713|title=Игорь Эйдман|website=facebook.com|access-date=2019-08-04}} and Paris.{{Cite web|url=http://ru.rfi.fr/rossiya/20190803-khotim-kak-v-parizhe-vo-frantsii-proshla-aktsiya-solidarnosti-s-moskvoi|title="Хотим, как в Париже": во Франции прошла акция солидарности с Москвой|date=2019-08-03|website=RFI|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-04}}

On August 6, the CEC confirmed the refusal of registration to Alexander Rudenko, Dmitry Gudkov, Lyubov Sobol and Elena Rusakova.{{Cite web|url=https://tass.ru/politika/6741923|title=ЦИК отказал в удовлетворении жалобы кандидата в Мосгордуму от "Яблока" Елены Русаковой|website=ТАСС|access-date=2019-08-10}} On August 9, the CEC confirmed the refusal to register Ilya Yashin and Anastasia Bryukhanova. In all cases the CEC used the same argumentation as the MCEC.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/rbcfreenews/5d4d4d029a794706d9abf237|title=ЦИК отказал в регистрации Яшину и Брюхановой|website=РБК|access-date=2019-08-10}} The CEC member Nikolai Levichev pointed out that the opposition candidates "should consider that the requirements for them are higher".{{Cite web|url=https://zona.media/news/2019/08/06/levi4ev|title="Если вы оппозиция, то для вас барьерчик чуть повыше" — член ЦИК о снятии кандидата с выборов в Мосгордуму из-за ошибок нотариуса|website=Медиазона|access-date=2019-08-15}}

On August 6, a Levada Center opinion poll was published, according to which 37% of Muscovites support actions in support of the independent candidates, 27% spoke out against.{{Cite web|url=https://www.novayagazeta.ru/news/2019/08/07/154029-levada-tsentr-37-moskvichey-polozhitelno-otnosyatsya-k-aktsiyam-v-podderzhku-nezaregistrirovannyh-kandidatov-v-mosgordumu|title="Левада-центр": 37% москвичей положительно отнеслись к акциям в поддержку независимых кандидатов в депутаты Мосгордумы|website=Новая газета - Novayagazeta.ru|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-10}}

On August 6, all candidates, nominated by the CPRF, called for the admission of all opposition candidates, as well as double-checking the signatures of candidates from the "Communists of Russia" and those supported by "United Russia".{{Cite web|url=https://msk.kprf.ru/2019/08/06/122873/|title=Заявление сорока пяти {{!}} КПРФ Москва|language=ru-RU|access-date=2019-08-10}}

On August 8, as in the previous case, the authorities announced a free concert on August 10 as part of the Meat & Beat festival in Gorky Park.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/news-49265675|title=В Москве экстренно организовали музыкально-гастрономический фестиваль в день акций протеста. Снова|date=2019-08-07|access-date=2019-08-10}} But there were very few spectators on it.{{Citation|title=Митинг на Сахарова vs Meat&Beat|date=2019-08-10|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/av/media-49307396|access-date=2019-08-10}}{{Cite web|url=https://tvrain.ru/teleshow/here_and_now/meatbeat-491356/|title=Не любим мясо с кровью. Альтернативная повестка на фестивале Meat&Beat|date=2019-08-10|website=tvrain.ru|access-date=2019-08-10}}

On August 8 and 9, the opposition candidates and several musicians,{{Cite tweet|number=1159771522069946368|title=Проспект Сахарова, 10 августа, 14:00. Подписываюсь под этим постом: pic.twitter.com/J3T943GyOC|last=Oxxxymiron|date=2019-08-09|user=norimyxxxo|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-10}} bloggers{{Cite web|url=https://echo.msk.ru/blog/echomsk/2479137-echo/|title=Блоги / EchoMSK: Юрий Дудь: Шпалой по лицу теперь может получить любой из нас|last=EchoMSK|website=Эхо Москвы|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-10}} and other cultural figures{{Cite web|url=https://echo.msk.ru/blog/b_akunin/2479941-echo/|title=Блоги / Борис Акунин: 10 августа 2019 года|last=Акунин|first=Борис|website=Эхо Москвы|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-10}} called to participate in the August 10 rally on Sakharov Avenue.{{Cite web|url=https://daily.afisha.ru/news/29470-oksimiron-prizval-na-miting-10-avgusta-i-potreboval-prekrascheniya-dela-o-massovyh-besporyadkah/|title=Оксимирон, Парфенов и Дудь выйдут на митинг 10 августа|website=Афиша|access-date=2019-08-10}} The rally was approved by the authorities.{{Cite web|url=https://iz.ru/905687/2019-08-02/meriia-moskvy-soglasovala-miting-10-avgusta-na-prospekte-akademika-sakharova|title=Мэрия Москвы согласовала митинг 10 августа на проспекте Академика Сахарова|last=Медведев|first=Григорий|date=2019-08-02|website=Известия|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-10}}

File:Rally_for_right_to_vote_in_Moscow_(2019-08-10)_144607.jpg. Aug 10, 2019.]]

Before the start of the rally, Lyubov Sobol was detained again on the grounds of a complaint "by the organizers of the rally against her and some other participants who were preparing provocations."{{Cite web|url=https://www.interfax.ru/moscow/672275|title=Любовь Соболь сообщила о своем задержании|website=Interfax.ru|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-11}} The organizers of the rally denied this information.{{Cite web|url=https://www.interfax.ru/moscow/672309|title=Организаторы митинга в Москве опровергли, что они заявили на Соболь в полицию|website=Interfax.ru|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-11}} Also, the police conducted a search in "Navalny LIVE" alternate studio.{{Cite web|url=https://www.novayagazeta.ru/news/2019/08/10/154155-politsiya-prishli-s-obyskom-v-shtab-lyubovi-sobol|title=Полиция пришла с обыском в штаб Любови Соболь|website=Новая газета - Novayagazeta.ru|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-11|archive-date=2019-08-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190810160916/https://www.novayagazeta.ru/news/2019/08/10/154155-politsiya-prishli-s-obyskom-v-shtab-lyubovi-sobol|url-status=dead}} On August 12 Lyubov Sobol fined 300 000 rub (~US$4700),{{Cite web|url=https://echo.msk.ru/news/2481533-echo.html|title=Любовь Соболь снова оштрафовали на 300 тысяч рублей|website=Эхо Москвы|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-12}} and on August 13 she was again fined 300 000 rub (~US$4700).{{Cite web|url=https://ria.ru/20190813/1557436807.html|title=Сумма штрафов Любови Соболь возросла почти до миллиона рублей|date=2019-08-13|website=РИА Новости|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-15}}

Despite the rain and cold weather, the rally started at 2 p.m. Not only the opposition politicians spoke at the rally, but also musicians (for example, Oxxxymiron, IC3PEAK, FACE) and other famous people (for example, Leonid Parfenov, Yury Dud).{{Cite web|url=https://snob.ru/society/oxxxymiron-leonid-parfenov-face-i-drugie-kto-iz-znamenitostej-prishel-na-miting-v-moskve/|title=Oxxxymiron, Леонид Парфенов, Face и другие: кто из знаменитостей пришел на митинг в Москве|website=snob.ru|access-date=2019-08-11}} The authorities tried to ban the performance of musicians, but they ignored the ban.{{Cite web|url=https://meduza.io/news/2019/08/07/meriya-moskvy-zapretila-vystuplenie-feysa-krovostoka-i-ic3peak-na-protestnom-mitinge-10-avgusta|title=Мэрия Москвы запретила выступление Фейса, "Кровостока" и IC3PEAK на протестном митинге 10 августа|website=meduza.io|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-11}} After the authorized rally was over, some of the participants went to Presidential Administration building, but were attacked by the police and scattered; 256 people{{Cite web|url=https://ovdinfo.org/articles/2019/08/10/za-chestnye-vybory-i-protiv-politicheskih-repressiy-itogi-akcii-10-avgusta|website=ОВД-Инфо|language=ru|script-title=ru:За честные выборы и против политических репрессий. Итоги акции 10 августа|access-date=2019-08-11}} were detained.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/10/thousands-march-in-moscow-disqualification-city-elections|title=Thousands march in Moscow demanding open city elections|work=The Guardian|access-date=11 August 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://meduza.io/live/2019/08/10/miting-vernem-sebe-pravo-na-vybory-hronika|title=Акция "Вернем себе право на выборы". Задержания в центре Москвы. Хроника|publisher=Meduza|language=ru|access-date=10 August 2019}} Again, some cases of police violence reported. For example, on Zabelin Street a policeman hit a young woman into stomach,{{Cite web|url=https://echo.msk.ru/blog/echomsk/2480711-echo/|title=Блоги / EchoMSK: На улице Забелина один из полицейских, задерживавших девушку, ударил ее кулаком в живот|last=EchoMSK|website=Эхо Москвы|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-11}} and this case had a wide resonance.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/14/europe/russia-protests-arrest-gbr-intl/index.html|title=Russian riot officer filmed punching woman at Moscow election protest|author=Rob Picheta|website=CNN|access-date=2019-08-17}}

The August 10 rally on Sakharov Avenue outnumbered the July 27 rally. According to the police, 20 thousand people participated. According to the "White Counter" organization, 50 thousand people passed through the main entrance, people entered from boulevards nearby were not counted.{{Cite news|url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4058768|title="Прогулка в поддержку честных выборов" в Москве|work=Коммерсантъ|access-date=2019-08-10}} Other independent sources report 50-60 thousand participants.{{Cite web|url=https://echo.msk.ru/news/2480451-echo.html|title=Митинг на проспекте Сахарова собрал, по данным источников "Эха Москвы", от 50 до 60 тысяч человек|website=Эхо Москвы|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-10}}

State owned media wrote that rally was "unsuccessful", "small in number", only 30% of the spectators were muscovites, and most of them didn't know the rally agenda.{{Cite web|url=https://rg.ru/2019/08/11/reg-cfo/akciia-na-saharova-ne-privlekla-moskvichej-ni-slovom-ni-pesnej-i-togda-liudej-snova-pozvali-na-progulki.html|title=Акция на Сахарова не привлекла москвичей ни словом, ни песней - и тогда людей снова позвали на "прогулки"|website=Российская газета|language=ru|access-date=2019-08-11}} The official version was heavily criticized due to lack of evidence.{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygraph.info/a/russia-moscow-protest-concert-fact-check/30109361.html|title=Russian State TV Puts Out Hit Piece on Moscow Opposition Protest|website=POLYGRAPH.info|access-date=2019-08-17}} For example, a poll, conducted by Vedomosti newspaper, shows that 80% of the spectators were Muscovites, and 17% - from Moscow Oblast.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vedomosti.ru/opinion/articles/2019/08/11/808586-prishel-saharova|title=Кто пришел на проспект Сахарова|last=Ведомости|date=2019-08-11|website=vedomosti.ru|access-date=2019-08-12}} International media wrote about 'largest rally since 2011' and new detentions.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-49305129|title=Moscow opposition protest 'largest for years'|date=2019-08-10|access-date=2019-08-11}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/10/thousands-march-in-moscow-disqualification-city-elections|title=Thousands march in Moscow demanding open city elections|last=Roth|first=Andrew|date=2019-08-10|work=The Observer|access-date=2019-08-11|issn=0029-7712}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-protests-present-new-challenge-to-putins-dominance-11565556427|title=Russia Protests Present New Challenge to Putin's Dominance|last=Grove|first=Thomas|website=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=2019-08-12}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2019/08/tens-thousands-rally-election-protest-moscow-190810143831955.html|title=Tens of thousands rally at election protest in Moscow|website=aljazeera.com|access-date=2019-08-22}}

On August 10, 2019 Roskomnadzor demanded that Google stop the YouTube users from promoting videos about unauthorized protests in Russia.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/youtube-google-russia-protests-video-notifications-a9054521.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816092754/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/youtube-google-russia-protests-video-notifications-a9054521.html |archive-date=2019-08-16 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|title=RUSSIA DEMANDS GOOGLE STOP PROMOTING YOUTUBE VIDEOS ABOUT PROTESTS|date=2019-08-13|work=The Independent|access-date=2019-08-16}}

In the Far East and Siberia in the morning before the Moscow rally pickets of solidarity with Moscow took place: Khabarovsk, Irkutsk, Novosibirsk, Omsk, Kemerovo, Tomsk.{{Cite web|url=https://tayga.info/148134|title=Акции солидарности с Москвой в Сибири: "Допускайте, а не сажайте"|website=Tayga.info|language=RU|access-date=2019-08-11}} Pickets also took place in many large cities in central Russia: St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Chelyabinsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, Samara, Ufa, Rostov-on-Don, Voronezh, Perm, Krasnodar, Orenburg, Belgorod, Cheboksary, Izhevsk, Yaroslavl, Bryansk, Ivanovo, Kaliningrad, Kurgan, Syktyvkar, Murmansk, and some other.{{Cite web|url=https://zona.media/online/2019/08/10/elections-back|title=Верните выборы и отпустите политзеков. Демонстрации по всей стране|website=Медиазона|access-date=2019-08-11}} 79 people in St. Petersburg, 13 in Rostov-on-Don, 2 in Bryansk and 2 in Syktyvkar were detained.

After August 10 the authorities declined all the requests for an approved rally by the independent opposition till late September, each time the Sakharov Avenue appeared to be occupied due to various reasons (the CPRF rally (see below), the Day of the Russian flag celebration,{{Cite web|url=https://www.interfax.ru/moscow/673807|title=День российского флага отметят на проспекте Сахарова в Москве|website=Interfax.ru|language=ru|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824041803/https://www.interfax.ru/moscow/673807 |archive-date=2019-08-24 |access-date=2019-10-06}} the Moscow City Day celebration,{{Cite web|url=https://www.gazeta.ru/social/2019/09/05/12628471.shtml|title=Беспечные ездоки: москвичей в День города ждут рок, мотоциклы и цветы|website=Газета.Ru|language=ru|access-date=2019-10-06}} and finally the "garbage truck parade"{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/other-news-49715878|title=Парад городской техники в Москве: "не хватает колонны автозаков"|date=2019-09-16|access-date=2019-10-06}}). For example, three requests for an approved rally on August 31 in different sites were declined. The organizers tried to challenge the refusals in the Moscow City Court, but it took the side of the authorities.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4074250|title=Мосгорсуд признал законным отказ мэрии в проведении акции 31 августа|date=2019-08-28|website=www.kommersant.ru|language=ru|access-date=2019-10-06}} A serie of parades and loud pro-government concerts caused a wave of indignation in social networks, residents of neighboring houses have submitted a complaint on excessive noise.{{Cite news|url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4087775|title=Проспект Сахарова устал от праздников и протестов|work=Коммерсантъ|access-date=2019-10-06}} Finally, the first approved opposition rally since August 10 was held on September 29.

On August 17, CPRF conducted the rally "for fair elections", however, part of CPRF members, including Gennady Zyuganov, condemned the actions of unregistered independent candidates, and their supporters ignored the rally. The police and independent sources had very close rally estimates this time: 4000 and 3900 respectively.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/rbcfreenews/5d57cf9f9a794776ba648d59|title=МВД и волонтеры назвали численность акции КПРФ на проспекте Сахарова|website=РБК|access-date=2019-10-06}}

On August 17, since the authorities refused to approve the rally, supporters of the independent candidates held solo pickets on the Boulevard Ring.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/articles/2019/08/16/809005-v|title=Пикеты на Бульварном кольце и митинг КПРФ. Главное|last=Ведомости|date=2019-08-17|website=www.vedomosti.ru|access-date=2019-10-06}}

On August 31, the unapproved rally "against political repressions" was held on the Boulevard Ring. Unlike previous rallies, the police didn't try to push the protestors out of the streets. The rally was peaceful, there was only 1 detention.{{Cite web|url=https://www.novayagazeta.ru/articles/2019/08/31/81782-shestvie-protiv-politicheskih-repressiy-31-avgusta-online|title=Шествие против политических репрессий 31 августа. Хроника|date=2019-08-31|website=Новая газета - Novayagazeta.ru|language=ru|access-date=2019-10-06}} As usual, the authorities organized the fest "PRO Leto" on August 31 to counter the rally.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/articles/2019/08/31/810126-v|title=Шествие против политических репрессий в Москве. Главное|last=Ведомости|date=2019-08-31|website=www.vedomosti.ru|access-date=2019-10-06}} The police estimates the rally of 750 people, independent sources give an estimation of 1500 people.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/russian|title=В Москве прошла несогласованная акция протеста, но никого не задержали. Как это было. - Новости на русском языке|website=BBC News Русская служба|language=ru-RU|access-date=2019-10-06}}

On September 8, the 2019 Moscow City Duma elections took place. The United Russia faction suffered significant losses, they lost in 20 out of 45 constituencies (opposition sources also claim that in 5 constituencies the victory was stolen by the United Russia).

On September 12, soon after the elections, the searches were conducted in all FBK offices and in the apartments of the FBK employees (and their close relatives) in 40 cities.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/society/12/09/2019/5d7a441e9a79473652120876|title=Обыски у координаторов ФБК по всей стране. Что важно знать|website=РБК|access-date=2019-10-06}} All computers and other office equipment were seized.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/news-49650840|title=У соратников Навального прошли обыски в десятках городов России|date=2019-09-12|access-date=2019-10-06}} Lyubov Sobol stated that it was "more like a robbery than a search".{{Cite web|url=https://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/news/2019/09/06/810630-obiski|title=Обыски в штабе Навального и ФБК завершились|last=Ведомости|date=2019-09-06|website=www.vedomosti.ru|access-date=2019-10-06}} 79 years old grandmother of one of the employees, who was also searched, died of a heart attack on September 16.{{Cite web|url=https://www.novayagazeta.ru/articles/2019/09/23/82086-delo-razvalitsya-a-chelovek-uzhe-ne-vernetsya|title="Дело развалится, а человек уже не вернется"|date=2019-09-23|website=Новая газета - Novayagazeta.ru|language=ru|access-date=2019-10-06}}

On September 29 the approved rally "in support of the political prisoners" was held on the Sakharov Avenue. The rally was peaceful, there was no detentions. The police estimates the rally of 20 000 people, independent sources give an estimation of 25 000 people.{{Cite web|url=https://www.interfax.ru/moscow/678416|title=Митинг в поддержку фигурантов "московского дела" завершился без нарушений|website=Interfax.ru|language=ru|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930042635/https://www.interfax.ru/moscow/678416 |archive-date=2019-09-30 |access-date=2019-10-06}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/articles/2019/09/29/812326-miting-na-prospekte-saharova-glavnoe|title=Митинг на проспекте Сахарова. Главное|last=Ведомости|date=2019-09-29|website=www.vedomosti.ru|access-date=2019-10-06}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/media-49855340|title=Митинг в Москве 29 сентября. Спецэфир Би-би-си в YouTube|date=2019-09-29|access-date=2019-10-06}}

On October 18, solo pickets were held near the entrances of 17 stations of the Moscow metro in support of detainees under the Moscow case.{{Cite web|url=https://www.novayagazeta.ru/news/2019/10/18/156239-v-moskve-u-14-stantsiy-metro-prohodyat-pikety-v-podderzhku-politzaklyuchennyh|title=В Москве у 17 станций метро проходят пикеты в поддержку политзаключенных|website=Новая газета - Novayagazeta.ru|language=ru|access-date=2019-10-19|archive-date=2020-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917204139/https://novayagazeta.ru/news/2019/10/18/156239-v-moskve-u-14-stantsiy-metro-prohodyat-pikety-v-podderzhku-politzaklyuchennyh|url-status=dead}}

During the 2019 Moscow City Duma elections campaign the FBK published a lot of anti-corruption investigations against Moscow City Duma deputies from the United Russia faction, the CEC and the MCEC members and Moscow City officials. Even authorities later admitted that FBK investigations had a significant impact on protest activity and election results.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4087541|title=Глава московских единороссов Метельский не смог переизбраться в Мосгордуму|date=2019-09-09|website=www.kommersant.ru|language=ru|access-date=2019-10-06}}

On July 1, the FBK published an investigation of Andrey Metelsky's, the leader of the United Russia faction in the Moscow City Duma, property. He has been a deputy in the Moscow City Duma since 2001. His son and 75 years old mother owns hotels Maximilian (bought for 5.36 mln €), Tirolerhof (3.6 mln €), Mozart (7 mln €), Strudlhof (24 mln €) in Austria, multi-apartment complex "Lefort", built near the MosMetro station under construction Lefortovo, auto center network "Obukhov", 2 "Tanuki" restaurants, hotel "Foresta" and 4 apartments with a total area of 1700 m2 in Moscow, 3 houses in Moscow Oblast and 1 house in Kaliningrad Oblast. The total cost of his real estate in Moscow only is about 5.7 billion rubles (~ US$90 mln).{{Cite web|url=https://navalny.com/p/6165/|title=Тайные богатства главного московского единоросса|website=Алексей Навальный|access-date=2019-10-06}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.novayagazeta.ru/news/2019/07/01/152942-navalnyy-obnaruzhil-u-semi-glavnogo-moskovskogo-edinorossa-nedvizhimost-na-5-7-mlrd-rubley-i-set-oteley-v-avstrii|title=Навальный обнаружил у семьи "главного московского единоросса" недвижимость на 5,7 млрд рублей|website=Новая газета - Novayagazeta.ru|language=ru|access-date=2019-10-06}}

On July 18, the FBK published an investigations of the head of the MCEC Valentin Gorbunov's property. His family owns two apartments with a total area of 200 m2 worth US$420 000 in Ika, Croatia.{{Cite web|url=https://navalny.com/p/6174/|title=Хорватская дача Горбунова|website=Алексей Навальный|access-date=2019-10-06}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.novayagazeta.ru/news/2019/07/18/153460-fbk-obnaruzhil-u-semi-glavy-mosgorizbirkoma-dve-kvartiry-v-horvatii|title=ФБК нашел у семьи главы Мосгоризбиркома недвижимость на берегу Адриатического моря в Хорватии|website=Новая газета - Novayagazeta.ru|language=ru|access-date=2019-10-06}}

On July 22, the FBK revealed that pro-government journalist Vladimir Solovyov has an Italian permanent residency.

On August 1, the FBK published an investigation of the vice-mayor Natalya Sergunina's property. Sergunina is responsible for the election process in Moscow. The FBK estimates Sergunina's (along with close relatives) undeclared real estate value at 6.5 billion rub (~ US$100 mln).

On August 12, the FBK published an investigation of the member of the CEC Boris Ebzeev's property. His grandson at the age of 4 bought an apartment worth 500 mln rub (~ US$18.5 mln), and at the age of 7 a house in Moscow Oblast.{{Cite web|url=https://navalny.com/|title=Алексей Навальный|website=Алексей Навальный|access-date=2019-10-06}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.svoboda.org/a/30105728.html|title=ФБК: внук судьи КС Эбзеева приобрёл элитную квартиру в 4 года|website=Радио Свобода|date=13 August 2019 |language=ru|access-date=2019-10-06}}

On August 12, it was revealed that the MCEC member Dmitry Reut bought an apartment worth 22 mln rub (~US$0.8 mln) from the city of Moscow on unknown conditions. The cost of the apartment exceeds his income for previous years by 2 times.{{Cite web|url=https://openmedia.io/news/avtor-aforizma-o-klopax-v-mosgorizbirkome-poluchil-ot-moskvy-nedvizhimost-biznes-klassa/|title=Автор афоризма о клопах в Мосгоризбиркоме получил от Москвы недвижимость бизнес-класса|website=openmedia.io|date=12 August 2019 |language=ru-RU|access-date=2019-10-06}}

On August 15, the FBK published an investigation of Alexei Shaposhnikov's, the chairman of the Moscow City Duma, property. He owns an apartment in the center of Moscow with a total area of 270 m2 worth 95 mln rub (~US$1.5 mln).{{Cite web|url=https://navalny.com/p/6189/|title=Семикомнатный пентхаус председателя Мосгордумы|website=Алексей Навальный|access-date=2019-10-06}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.novayagazeta.ru/news/2019/08/15/154371-fbk-rasskazal-o-penthause-predsedatelya-mosgordumy-alekseya-shaposhnikova-za-95-mln-rubley|title=ФБК рассказал о пентхаусе председателя Мосгордумы Алексея Шапошникова за 95 млн рублей|website=Новая газета - Novayagazeta.ru|language=ru|access-date=2019-10-06}}

On August 20, the FBK published an investigation of Ilya Platonov's, the son of the former chairman of the Moscow City Duma Vladimir Platonov, property. He owns an apartment in the center of Moscow, on the "golden mile", with a total area of 372 m2 worth 600 mln rub (~US$9.4 mln) and a house in Moscow Oblast with total area of 4000 m2 worth 4000 mln rub (~US$62.5 mln).{{Cite web|url=https://navalny.com/p/6193/|title=Сын депутата Мосгордумы и его недвижимость на 4,6 миллиарда рублей|website=Алексей Навальный|access-date=2019-10-19}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.novayagazeta.ru/news/2019/08/20/154497-fbk-rasskazal-o-kvartire-za-600-mln-rubley-u-syna-deputata-mosgordumy-vladimira-platonova|title=ФБК рассказал о квартире сына депутата Мосгордумы Платонова за 600 млн рублей|website=Новая газета - Novayagazeta.ru|language=ru|access-date=2019-10-19}} The Moscow "Golden mile" is an extremely expensive part of Moscow between Ostozhenka street and Prechistenskaya embarkment, where the price of an apartment start from US$25 000 per m2.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vedomosti.ru/realty/blogs/2018/06/19/773168-bezzhiznennaya-zolotaya-milya|title=Безжизненная "Золотая миля"|last=Ведомости|date=2018-06-19|website=www.vedomosti.ru|access-date=2019-10-19}}

On August 22, the FBK published an investigation of Vladimir Regnatsky's, the head of Security and Anti-Corruption Department of Moscow City, property. Regnatsky is one of those officials who "approves" rallies and is responsible for their dispersing. His mother owns an apartment in the center of Moscow, on the "golden mile", with total area of 146 m2 worth 200 mln rub (~US$3.1 mln).{{Cite web|url=https://navalny.com/p/6195/|title=Мы ему — квартиру за 200 млн. А он нам — дубинки и аресты|website=Алексей Навальный|access-date=2019-10-19}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.novayagazeta.ru/news/2019/08/22/154573-fbk-nashel-u-glavy-departamenta-regionalnoy-bezopasnosti-moskvy-kvartiru-za-200-mln-rubley|title=ФБК нашел квартиру за 200 млн рублей у матери столичного чиновника, отвечающего за согласование митингов|website=Новая газета - Novayagazeta.ru|language=ru|access-date=2019-10-19}}

On August 26, the FBK published an investigation of the vice-mayor Alexander Gorbenko's property. Along with his son and wife he owns a land plot with total area of 20 000 m2 in Moscow Oblast, where 9 houses built, worth 500 mln rub (~US$7.8 mln).{{Cite web|url=https://navalny.com/p/6198/|title=Засекреченная дача того, кто вас избивает|website=Алексей Навальный|access-date=2019-10-19}}{{Cite web|url=https://meduza.io/news/2019/08/26/fbk-vitse-mer-moskvy-aleksandr-gorbenko-zasekretil-podmoskovnuyu-dachu-ploschadyu-v-dva-gektara|title=ФБК: вице-мэр Москвы Александр Горбенко засекретил подмосковную дачу площадью в два гектара|website=meduza.io|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190826184246/https://meduza.io/news/2019/08/26/fbk-vitse-mer-moskvy-aleksandr-gorbenko-zasekretil-podmoskovnuyu-dachu-ploschadyu-v-dva-gektara |archive-date=2019-08-26 |access-date=2019-10-19}}

On August 27, the FBK published an investigation of Alexander Gorbenko's children's property. His son owns an apartment in the center of Moscow with total area of 226 m2 worth 300 mln rub (~US$4.7 mln), and his daughter owns an apartment in the center of Moscow with total area of 174 m2 worth 240 mln rub (~US$3.8 mln).{{Cite web|url=https://navalny.com/p/6200/|title=Богатенькие детки вице-мэра|website=Алексей Навальный|access-date=2019-10-19}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/ru/%D1%84%D0%B1%D0%BA-%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%88%D0%B5%D0%BB-%D0%BD%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B6%D0%B8%D0%BC%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D1%8C-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%BC%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%BB%D0%B8%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B4%D0%B0-%D1%80%D1%83%D0%B1%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%B9-%D1%83-%D0%B4%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%B9-%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%86%D0%B5-%D0%BC%D1%8D%D1%80%D0%B0-%D0%BC%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B2%D1%8B/a-50187838|title=ФБК нашел недвижимость на полмиллиарда рублей у детей вице-мэра Москвы {{!}} DW {{!}} 27.08.2019|website=Deutsche Welle|language=ru-RU|access-date=2019-10-19}}

On August 29, the FBK published second investigation of Andrey Metelsky's property. He owns and manages a motorcycle shop "Alpine", while the Russian legislation prohibits deputies from doing business.{{Cite web|url=https://navalny.com/p/6204/|title=Увольняем главного единоросса Москвы|website=Алексей Навальный|access-date=2019-10-19}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.novayagazeta.ru/news/2019/08/29/154787-fbk-vitse-spiker-mosgordumy-vopreki-zakonu-vladeet-biznesom|title=ФБК: вице-спикер Мосгордумы вопреки закону владеет бизнесом|website=Новая газета - Novayagazeta.ru|language=ru|access-date=2019-10-19}}

On August 30, the FBK published an investigation of the vice-chairman of the CEC Nikolay Bulaev's property. Along with his daughter he owns 3 apartments in Moscow with total area of 392 m2 worth 220 mln rub (~US$3.4 mln).{{Cite web|url=https://navalny.com/p/6207/|title=Не пустить Навального и Соболь. И разбогатеть|website=Алексей Навальный|access-date=2019-10-19}}{{Cite web|url=https://echo.msk.ru/news/2492423-echo.html|title=ФБК утверждает, что государство выделило зам.главы Центризбиркома Булаеву две квартиры рыночной стоимостью 150 мил руб|website=Эхо Москвы|language=ru|access-date=2019-10-19}}

On September 2, the FBK published an investigation of the deputy of the Moscow City Duma Lyudmila Stebenkova's property. She owns an apartment in the center of Moscow with total area of 197 m2 worth 80 mln rub (~US$1.25 mln) and owned 1 more apartment with total area of 178 m2 which she sold in 2005.{{Cite web|url=https://navalny.com/p/6213/|title=Помогите прогнать эту сумасшедшую|website=Алексей Навальный|access-date=2019-10-19}}{{Cite web|url=https://echo.msk.ru/news/2497989-echo.html|title=Фигурант расследования Фонда борьбы с коррупцией проиграл выборы в Мосгордуму|website=Эхо Москвы|language=ru|access-date=2019-10-19}}

On September 3, the FBK published an investigation of the deputy of the Moscow City Duma Stepan Orlov's property. He received from the City of Moscow two apartments in the center of Moscow with total area of 246 m2 in exchange of his old apartment with total area of 58 m2.{{Cite web|url=https://navalny.com/p/6214/|title=Воланд из "Единой России"|website=Алексей Навальный|access-date=2019-10-19}}{{Cite web|url=https://echo.msk.ru/news/2494835-echo.html|title=ФБК опубликовал расследование о недвижимости лидера фракции "Единой России" в Мосгордуме|website=Эхо Москвы|language=ru|access-date=2019-10-19}}

On September 4, the FBK published an investigation of the deputy of the Moscow City Duma Kirill Shchitov's property. He owns an apartment in center of Moscow, on the "golden mile", with total area of 180 m2 and one more with total area of 122 m2, and also two luxury cars.{{Cite web|url=https://navalny.com/p/6217/|title=Кирилл Щитов — депутат-мажор на нашей шее|website=Алексей Навальный|access-date=2019-10-19}}

On September 5, the FBK published an investigation of the vice-mayor Pyotr Biryukov's property. Along with his family he owns 17 apartments in the center of Moscow, 22 luxury cars and a farm estate in Moscow Oblast total worth of 5.5 bln rub (~US$86 mln).{{Cite web|url=https://navalny.com/p/6219/|title=Так живет хозяин России|website=Алексей Навальный|access-date=2019-10-19}}{{Cite web|url=https://og.ru/news/106583|title=ФБК насчитал у семьи вице-мэра Петра Бирюкова имущества на 5,5 млрд рублей|date=2019-09-06|website=Общая Газета|language=ru|access-date=2019-10-19|archive-date=2021-03-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308223713/https://og.ru/news/106583|url-status=dead}}

On September 6, the FBK published second investigation of the vice-mayor Natalya Sergunina's property. Her daughter's husband, Aaron-Elizer Aronov, owns the "Aviapark" mall worth of 4.3 bln rub (~US$67.2 mln). Besides, the building company, belonging to Aronov, did not fulfill its social obligations to build a school and museum nearby.{{Cite web|url=https://navalny.com/p/6222/|title=Еще один миллиард Сергуниной|website=Алексей Навальный|access-date=2019-10-19}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/society/01/08/2019/5d42cc859a79477feb0161f8|title=ФБК нашел у родственников вице-мэра Москвы недвижимость на 6,5 млрд руб.|website=РБК|date=August 2019 |access-date=2019-10-19}}

Government response to investigations

Sergunina, Birukov and other Moscow City officials didn't respond to FBK Investigations.

Instead, soon after the first investion on Sergunina, on August 3, the ICR opened a criminal case against the FBK on laundering 1 billion rub (~US$15.5 mln). Later the amount was reduced to 75 mln rub (~US$1.15 mln).{{Cite web|url=https://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/articles/2019/10/10/813309-fbk-inostrannim-agentom|title=Признание ФБК иностранным агентом призвано затруднить его участие в политике|last=Ведомости|date=2019-10-10|website=www.vedomosti.ru|access-date=2019-10-19}}

Soon after the investigation on Biryukov, on September 5 searches were conducted at the FBK office and at the "Navalny LIVE" studio.{{Cite web|url=https://zona.media/chronicle/navalny_live|title=Силовики в ФБК, в офисе "Навальный Live" и в московском штабе политика|website=Медиазона|language=en|access-date=2019-10-19}}

Soon after the 2019 Moscow City Duma election, on September 12 the ICR carried out mass raids on the FBK regional offices in 40 Russian cities.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4095629|title=Суд разрешил провести еще 47 обысков по делу ФБК|date=2019-09-17|website=www.kommersant.ru|language=ru|access-date=2019-10-20}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/12/russian-police-raid-homes-and-offices-of-opposition-activists|title=Russian police carry out mass raids against opposition activists|last=Bennetts|first=Marc|date=2019-09-12|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-10-20|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}

In September various state-owned companies filed lawsuits against FBK for "organizing riots", and the courts partially satisfied them in the amount of 5 mln rub (~US$78 000).{{Cite web|url=https://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/news/2019/10/16/813899-sud-vernul|title=Суд вернул компании по аренде автомобилей иск к ФБК на 1 млрд рублей|last=Ведомости|date=2019-10-16|website=www.vedomosti.ru|access-date=2019-10-20}}

On October 8, the police filed lawsuit against FBK for "costs of maintaining order during rallies" in the amount of 18 mln rub (~US280 000).{{Cite web|url=https://www.interfax.ru/moscow/679483|title=Полиция Москвы решила отсудить у оппозиции 18 млн рублей|website=Interfax.ru|language=ru|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008094633/https://www.interfax.ru/moscow/679483 |archive-date=2019-10-08 |access-date=2019-10-20}}

On October 9, the FBK has been declared a "foreign agent" by the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/russia-brands-opposition-leader-navalny-anti-corruption-group-a-foreign-agent/a-50749681|title=Russia brands opposition leader Navalny anti-corruption group a 'foreign agent' {{!}} DW {{!}} 09.10.2019|website=Deutsche Welle|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-10-20}}

On October 15, the ICR again carried out mass raids on the FBK regional offices in 30 Russian cities.{{Cite web|url=https://www.interfax.ru/russia/680395|title=СКР сообщил об обысках по делу ФБК в 30 городах|website=Interfax.ru|language=ru|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015085058/https://www.interfax.ru/russia/680395 |archive-date=2019-10-15 |access-date=2019-10-20}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/15/mass-raids-target-russian-opposition-leader-alexei-navalny|title=Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny condemns mass raids|last=Walker|first=Shaun|date=2019-10-15|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-10-20|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}

{{commons category|Demonstrations and protests in Moscow in 2019}}

• 2017–2018 Russian protests
• 2018 Russian pension protests
• 2019 Moscow City Duma election
• 2019 Russian elections ("United Voting Day")
• Opposition to Vladimir Putin in Russia
• 2013 Moscow mayoral election
• FBK
• 2021 Russian protests

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