FIRST ANTI-PROHIBITIONIST MANIFESTATION IN RUSSIA: DEMONSTRATION OF RUSSIAN RADICALS TO DEFEND ALINA VITUKHNOVSKAJA AND AGAINST NEW DRAFT LAW ON DRUGS HAS TAKEN PLACE TODAY NEAR THE OFFICE OF PROCURATOR GENERAL

Moscow, November 10, 1997 - The demonstration of Russian activists of the Radical Party has taken place today near the office of the Procurator General on Bolshaja Dmitrovka. It was to defend Alina Vitukhnovskaja and against new prohibitionist draft law "On narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances", ready to be passed in the State Duma.

There were about 20 Radical activists participating in the demonstration with slogans: "Freedom And Justice For Alina Vitukhnovskaja", "No To Repressive Draft Law On Drugs", "The Worst Enemy Of Drug Trafficants Is Legalization Of Drugs", "Opium Is A Religion For People", "Drugs: Legalize And Control", "Take Drugs Away From Mafia", "Fight Drug Addiction, Not Drug Addicts", "War On Drugs Is Economical Folly", "Repression Is A New Business", "1937 - 1997: Dissmokers Instead Of Dissidents", "New Generation Chooses Legalization", "New Drug Law Makes Profit For Narcomafia".

Radicals submitted to the office of Procurator General about 20 requests demanding to examine many violations of law during the investigation on Vitukhnovskaja's case, as well as to undertake necessary steps in order to change the persecution measure from imprisonment to non-departure subscription.

On the occasion of Militia Day celebrated in Russia on November 10, demonstrators congratulated policemen engaged for securing public order during manifestation and presented to each of them one copy of the brochure "End Prohibition Now" issued by the Radical Party in Russian language too.