MOSCOW -- Police have scuffled with opposition activists in Russia's southern city of Astrakhan, amid tensions over the disputed results of a local election.
The activists rallied in support of Oleg Shein from the leftist A Just Russia Party who, according to official results, lost to a candidate from the ruling United Russia party in the March 4 election for city mayor.
Shein says the election was rigged and together with a group of supporters he launched a hunger strike 25 days ago.
Currently, 22 activists are refusing food to demand a new election.
Anticorruption blogger Aleksei Navalny joined protesters in Astrakhan on April 10.
Prosecutors said a probe confirmed violations at some polling stations but said they were not widespread and could not influence the outcome of the election.
The activists rallied in support of Oleg Shein from the leftist A Just Russia Party who, according to official results, lost to a candidate from the ruling United Russia party in the March 4 election for city mayor.
Shein says the election was rigged and together with a group of supporters he launched a hunger strike 25 days ago.
Currently, 22 activists are refusing food to demand a new election.
Anticorruption blogger Aleksei Navalny joined protesters in Astrakhan on April 10.
Prosecutors said a probe confirmed violations at some polling stations but said they were not widespread and could not influence the outcome of the election.