German Foreign Heiko Maas on Monday called for immediately setting free those who engaged in peaceful protests and were arrested for "no reason" during the recent unauthorized demonstrations in Russia.
Speaking to journalists ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, Maas remarked that the Russian constitution enshrines the right to express one's opinion and participate in public protests.
"This should be possible, the principles of law-governed state has to always remain in force - this has always been Russia's obligation. That is why we expect those who protested peacefully and had no reason for being detained to be released immediately," Maas said.
Multiple unauthorized protests, organized by supporters of jailed opposition figure Alexey Navalny, broke out across the country on Saturday. Both the Russian Interior Ministry and Prosecutor General's Office warned that those participating in such events would be liable to prosecution.
