By Country / Russia
Russian Police Detain Dozens At Anti-Kremlin Rally
March 24, 2007
March 24, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- Russian riot police have detained dozens of activists at an opposition rally in the city of Nizhny Novgorod, RFE/RL's Russian Service reported.
Authorities had not given permission to hold the rally on a square in the city center as planned.
Despite the presence of hundreds of riot police, several hundred protesters gathered in the vicinity of the square.
Organizers told RFE/RL that police dragged dozens of activists into police buses and took them to police stations.
Dozens of activists were also reportedly detained on their way to the rally.
The rally was part of a protest movement known as the March of Dissent that is being organized by liberal and leftist forces. Its leaders include former Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, former world chess champion Garry Kasparov, and independent lawmaker Vladimir Ryzhkov.
(with agency reports)