Yabloko Says Moscow Police Obstructing Its Campaign

MOSCOW -- The leader of Russia's opposition Yabloko party says police in Moscow are obstructing the party's campaign to collect signatures to register candidates for Moscow city Duma elections, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.

Party head Sergei Mitrokhin told RFE/RL that Moscow police blocked a convoy of 15 cars carrying the party's sign on August 25.

Mitrokhin said the incident was politically motivated and was organized by forces that do not want to see Yabloko party members in the Moscow Duma.

The deadline for handing in signatures to Moscow's Election Commission is August 26. The elections are scheduled for October 11.

Long-time Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov is a strong supporter of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Russia's ruling party.