Russian cops violently break up Putin protest
This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by dixiegrrrrl (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).
Source: AP
(AP) MOSCOW - Riot police on Monday broke up an opposition protest contesting Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's victory in Russia's presidential election, arresting dozens of participants, including prominent opposition leaders.
The police action followed a rally in downtown Moscow that drew about 20,000 protesters angry over a campaign slanted in Putin's favor and reports of widespread violations in Sunday's ballot.
The big rally went on peacefully, but hundreds of police in full riot gear violently dispersed several hundred protesters who had vowed to stay on the iconic Pushkin Square in downtown Moscow until Putin steps down.
Police moved quickly to put out the protests, apparently fearing that it could act as a catalyst for bigger opposition action.
Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57390842/russian-cops-violently-break-up-putin-protest/
= new reply since forum marked as read
Mr Navalny was kept in detention for 15 days in December after similar protests
Police in Moscow have arrested protest leaders Alexei Navalny and Sergei Udaltsov after a rally against Vladimir Putin's election as president.
Reasons for the arrests were not given but police were clearing a square where the two men had addressed a rally. At least 120 arrests were made in Moscow and St Petersburg on a day of rallies for and against Mr Putin.
It is believed Mr Udaltsov had refused to leave Moscow's Pushkin Square after the rally there. Mr Navalny had told opposition supporters that "swindlers and thieves" ruled Russia and only they, the protesters, could stop them.
Both men have been previously arrested for their opposition activities.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17265820
