Russian Police Disperse Opposition Protest

Sergei Udaltsov was arrested at the protest (file photo)

Some 50 opposition activists gathered outside Moscow's City Hall to protest against the government and embattled Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov on September 12.

The protesters barely had time to assemble before they were surrounded by several hundred riot police, reinforced by personnel from the Interior Ministry, with around a dozen military vehicles in nearby streets.

According to independent radio station Ekho Moskvy, 30 people were arrested at the protest, which was unauthorized. One of the organizers, Left Front leader Sergey Udaltsov, was arrested upon arrival.

The arrested included Konstantin Kosyakin, one of the organizers of the Strategy 31 movement, named after Article 31 of the Russian Constitution which permits peaceful assembly.

compiled from agency reports