U.S. concerned by Russian crackdown on activists

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) Following the arrest of a number of environmental activists in Russia, the U.S. said the crackdown casts doubts on "the Russian government's commitment to allowing individuals to exercise their basic freedom." "The United States is troubled by the arrest of and government pressure on peaceful civil society activists around the Sochi region of Russia in the days leading up to the Olympics," said State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki, late on Friday



Activists have tried to shed light on construction for the sporting event which has impacted roads, villages, and water wells for certain communities. Russian authorities, however, accuse them of being involved in a crime



"The United States continues to support the rights of all Russians to exercise these fundamental freedoms of expression and assembly," noted Psaki

"These rights are enshrined in the Russian constitution, as well as in international agreements to which Russia is a party," she concluded.