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Russian protesters detained

March 31, 2012

Russian police have detained a number of activists protesting in support of freedom of assembly. Among those taken into custody were leading opposition figures.

https://p.dw.com/p/14VvB
Russian security officials detain opposition activist
Image: Reuters

Dozens of Russian activists were arrested Saturday during obstensibly unauthorised rallies in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Police detained about 75 people protesting against the political dominance of Vladimir Putin - who will return to the Kremlin in May for a third term as president after four years as prime minister - and calling for freedom of assembly.

Prominent arrests

In Moscow, riot police shoved along a crowd of some 300 protesters and journalists near a central square, bundling several demonstrators into buses. State media said 60 people were arrested.

Among those detained was Eduard Limonov, head of the banned opposition National Bolshevik Party.

Police said one police officer suffered facial burns from a smoke bomb allegedly thrown by a protester.

In Russia's second city, St. Petersburg, police detained about 15 of 50 protesters gathered near the main avenue. Local opposition leader Olga Kurnosova was one of those taken into custody.

Constitutional right

The freedom of assembly protests have been held for over two years. Opposition leaders say the government violates Russians' constitutional rights by requiring them to seek permission from local authorities for rallies.

Interior Ministry officers detain an opposition activist during a protest rally to defend Article 31 of the Russian constitution
Police often break up unsanctioned gatheringsImage: Reuters

The protests take place on the 31st of a month in reference to the 31st Article of the Russian constitution, which guarantees the right of assembly.

Putin, against whom the ire of protesters is also often directed, was elected for a third presidential term early in March, despite months of protests against his regime.

tj/ipj (AFP, Reuters, AP)