Russia: Police detains dozens of protesters in Moscow, St. Petersburg
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 31 March 2012 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russia: Police detains dozens of protesters in Moscow, St. Petersburg, 31 March 2012, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4f7d6366c.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
March 31, 2012
MOSCOW – Russia's opposition says up to 60 activists were detained on March 31 when police broke up an anti-Kremlin protest in central Moscow.
The detained included Eduard Limonov, who heads the Other Russia coalition.
Some 1,000 people gathered in Triumfalnaya Square for the unsanctioned rally.
They shouted slogans against Vladimir Putin, who was elected for a third presidential term in a March 4 election.
In Moscow's Pushkin Square, several activists were reportedly detained at a rally of some 100 people organized by Sergei Udaltsov of the Left Front movement.
In St. Petersburg, police detained up to 40 people who were trying to stage a demonstration.
Similar opposition demonstrations were held on the 31st day of the past months in a campaign to uphold Article 31 of the Russian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of assembly.
With reporting by AP and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website