Russian Officials Reportedly Moving Against G8 Protesters

Tents for anti-globalization campaigners at the Kirov stadium in St. Petersburg (ITAR-TASS) July 14, 2006 -- Protest organizers say authorities in the Russian city of St. Petersburg are working to prevent any demonstrations from marring the country's first hosting of a G8 summit this weekend.

The only sanctioned area for protests is a stadium on the outskirts of the city.


A reinforced police presence in the city has reportedly detained a number of protesters and Russian activists.


(Reuters, AP, AFP)

G8 Summit: St. Petersburg, July 15-17

G8 Summit: St. Petersburg, July 15-17

A worker hangs G8 banners outside the Russian National Library in St. Petersburg (epa)

SITTING DOWN AT THE TABLE: On July 15-17, Russia hosts the leaders of the Group of Eight (G8) leading industrialized countries in its northern capital, St. Petersburg. The event is a landmark in Russia's reemergence on the international stage after more than a decade of painful transition. In many ways, Russian President Vladimir Putin will be the strongest and most confident of the leaders at the meeting, despite international concerns about the state of Russia's democratic development. Below are links to some of RFE/RL's reporting on the run-up to this major international event.

Confident Kremlin Prepares To Preside Over G8 Summit

G8 Foreign Ministers Meet To Map Out Summit Agenda

Opposition, NGOs Gather Ahead Of G8 Summit

Barroso Calls On G8 To Agree Global Energy Principles

G8 Presidency Spurs 'Exceptional' PR Response

MORE: Follow the coverage of the G8 summit in St. Petersburg in Russian on the website of RFE/RL's Russian Service. An archive of RFE/RL's coverage of Russia in English.