The first unauthorized rally staged in Moscow after the ouster of Mayor Yury Luzhkov ended the same way as those held during his rule, with protesters dispersed by police and the organizers briefly detained, Interfax reported.
Thirty-two people, including four rally organizers — human rights champion Lev Ponomaryov and opposition activists Sergei Udaltsov, Konstantin Kosyakin and Sergei Davidis — were detained during the “Day of Wrath” rally staged near City Hall late Tuesday, the report said, citing police.
The organizers face fines of up to 2,000 rubles ($65). Udaltsov said several people were roughed up by police officers and have requested investigations into the officers’ actions.
(MT)
