VLADIVOSTOK. Feb 21 (Interfax) - Several young people gathered outside the building of the U.S. Consulate General in Vladivostok in Russia's Far East, demanding that the U.S. authorities stop their attempts to interfere in Russia's internal affairs.
"One has recently been able to observe a serious growth of U.S. officials' attention to Russia's internal affairs. For example, American Senator John McCain has promised the 'Arab Spring' to us, and representatives of the U.S. Embassy in Russia have been holding regular meetings with Russian opposition members regarding the organization of national actions against today's authorities in Russia," Vladivostok rally organizer Vadim Kazantsev told journalists.
These and other facts indicate that the U.S. is trying to put pressure on Russian citizens and their free choice right either directly or indirectly, he said.
"We are outraged at this situation and demand that the U.S. pay greater attention to tackling its own numerous domestic problems instead of interfering in our country's affairs," Kazantsev said.
During the 20-minute action, which was authorized by the Primorye administration, Kazantsev and three other young residents of Vladivostok were holding banners with slogans such as "Hands off Putin!", "No to the Libyan scenario in Russia!" and "YouTube is a U.S. instrument of brainwashing!".
Several police officers were present at the site of the rally.
The U.S. diplomatic mission has offered no response to the demonstrators' statement.