The city authorities in Moscow have refused to approve a rally against the war in Syria planned for 20 November 2016 in the capital.

According to Kasparov.ru, this was reported by one of the rally organisers, representative of the Solidarnost social movement Sergei Davidis, on his Facebook page.

"The Mayor's Office has indicated that it has, unlawfully, refused to give its approval to the anti-war rally on 20/11. The pretext for the refusal is not yet known," wrote Sergei Davidis.

Organisers wanted to hold the event in Pushkin Park, on Pushkin Square. They included December 5 Party, the Libertarian Party of Russia, the People’s Freedom Party, the 'Solidarnost' movement and the ‘For Human Rights' movement. The organisers wanted to direct the attention of society to the tragic events in Syria, in particular the wholesale slaughter of peaceful citizens in Aleppo.

Translated by Lindsay Munford