India, March 22 -- In one Russian city, officials blocked a rally due to a "tree inspection." Elsewhere, they blamed snow removal problems or still-existing COVID-19 restrictions. And in one location, administrators argued that the reason for the protest didn't exist.

Authorities in nearly a dozen Russian regions in recent weeks cited various excuses to prevent demonstrations against internet censorship and the blocking of the popular messaging app Telegram. In most cases, they succeeded.

Mindful of a crackdown on dissent since the 4-year-old invasion of Ukraine, activists decided not to risk holding unauthorised rallies, even if they weren't about the war. Some went to court to challenge the government's refusal to authorise pickets, w...