On Friday, the immediate aides of the Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, have been put under house arrest ahead of political rallies in the country as the authorities previously warned against the charges of “mass unrest” for the protesters. 

In addition to seven metro stations being closed in the capital city, a restricted movement protocol for civilians has been announced by Russian law enforcement agencies on Sunday, the day of the protests. 

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The critics of the current Russian government have, on many instances, said that the authorities have been mounting pressure on the opposition in an attempt to smother dissent and intimidate the protesters. 

In light of the recent events in Russia, concerning the crackdown on dissent in the country, the UN Security Council has scheduled an informal meeting next week, according to diplomats. 

Navalny’s team has urged new protests, suggesting residents of Moscow gather on Sunday in Lubyanka Square outside the headquarters of the FSB security agency and Staraya Square, where the presidential administration has its offices.

On the grounds of violating rules which were put in place for COVID-19, activist Maria Alyokhina and Navalny’s brother, Oleg and a substantial aide Lyubov Sobol were placed under house arrest by the authorities till March 23. 

Oleg Stepanov, the coordinator of Navalny’s office and Anastasia Vasilyeva, a critic of the Kremlin were also placed under house arrest for at least two months. 

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Over 4,000 protesters were detained by the Russian authorities in the past week and while numerous criminal probes were launched. Several Navalny associates, including Sobol, were detained after the police carried out raids on their office and residences.

The COVID-19 restrictions are being gradually lifted off the state’s capital, however, the ban on mass gatherings has not been eased. 

On Thursday, a message from the arrested opposition leader was released which said, “The majority is on our side. Let’s wake them up.”

A temporary court has been set up in the premises of the police station, which last week dismissed Navalny’s appeal to be released. The accused could be jailed for over two years after a high profile hearing scheduled for Tuesday, which will try him on the charges of “violating the terms of a 2014 suspended sentence.”