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Russian authorities closed Moscow's Red Square on Sunday and
detained dozens of people trying to hold a silent anti-government
protest there, prompting opposition charges that they were denying
Russians their right to free assembly.
Several hundred people responded to calls on the Internet to gather
in Red Square outside the Kremlin wearing white ribbons or clothing as a
symbol of protest, but found the iron gates to the sprawling square
closed.
Police detained four people heading for the square from a nearby
subway station, and later picked people out of the crowd at the gates
and pushed them into buses. A police spokesman said about 55 people had
been detained near Red Square "for attempting to hold an unsanctioned
demonstration."
Opposition leaders say the government violates Russians'
constitutional right to free assembly by requiring permission from local
authorities for street demonstrations. Police often disperse
unsanctioned rallies and detain protesters.
"There are no freedoms, no rights, and Putin is always being shown on
all the TV channels," said Inna Bachina, 48, director of a metal
products wholesaler, standing outside the Red Square gates with her
daughter. "I do not consider Putin my president."
Opposition activists have held several small demonstrations without
official permission since the disputed December election won by Putin's
ruling party, while other protests have been held with permission.
Putin, president from 2000-2008 and now prime minister, won a new
presidential term on March 4 and will be inaugurated on May 7. He could
seek re-election in six years.
Tens of thousands of people dismayed by that prospect and angered by
suspicions of widespread fraud in the parliamentary election turned out
for rallies in recent months - the biggest opposition protests of
Putin's rule.
He and President Dmitry Medvedev have introduced limited political
reforms, including legislation to let more groups register as parties
and contest elections, but some foes fear a crackdown on street protests
and other opposition activity.
On Saturday, riot police detained about 60 people in Moscow and 15 in
St. Petersburg, dispersing protesters shouting "Russia without Putin"
and "Freedom of Assembly: Always and Everywhere!"
Activists said the authorities would have no reason to detain people
simply strolling on Red Square with white ribbons. Bachina said she
believed the square was closed because "the authorities are frightened."
Police officers gave various reasons for the closure of the square,
one saying it was shut for repair work, while another cited an
unspecified event due to be held there. The Federal Guard Service,
responsible for security in and around the Kremlin, did not answer phone
calls.
detained dozens of people trying to hold a silent anti-government
protest there, prompting opposition charges that they were denying
Russians their right to free assembly.
Several hundred people responded to calls on the Internet to gather
in Red Square outside the Kremlin wearing white ribbons or clothing as a
symbol of protest, but found the iron gates to the sprawling square
closed.
Police detained four people heading for the square from a nearby
subway station, and later picked people out of the crowd at the gates
and pushed them into buses. A police spokesman said about 55 people had
been detained near Red Square "for attempting to hold an unsanctioned
demonstration."
Opposition leaders say the government violates Russians'
constitutional right to free assembly by requiring permission from local
authorities for street demonstrations. Police often disperse
unsanctioned rallies and detain protesters.
"There are no freedoms, no rights, and Putin is always being shown on
all the TV channels," said Inna Bachina, 48, director of a metal
products wholesaler, standing outside the Red Square gates with her
daughter. "I do not consider Putin my president."
Opposition activists have held several small demonstrations without
official permission since the disputed December election won by Putin's
ruling party, while other protests have been held with permission.
Putin, president from 2000-2008 and now prime minister, won a new
presidential term on March 4 and will be inaugurated on May 7. He could
seek re-election in six years.
Tens of thousands of people dismayed by that prospect and angered by
suspicions of widespread fraud in the parliamentary election turned out
for rallies in recent months - the biggest opposition protests of
Putin's rule.
He and President Dmitry Medvedev have introduced limited political
reforms, including legislation to let more groups register as parties
and contest elections, but some foes fear a crackdown on street protests
and other opposition activity.
On Saturday, riot police detained about 60 people in Moscow and 15 in
St. Petersburg, dispersing protesters shouting "Russia without Putin"
and "Freedom of Assembly: Always and Everywhere!"
Activists said the authorities would have no reason to detain people
simply strolling on Red Square with white ribbons. Bachina said she
believed the square was closed because "the authorities are frightened."
Police officers gave various reasons for the closure of the square,
one saying it was shut for repair work, while another cited an
unspecified event due to be held there. The Federal Guard Service,
responsible for security in and around the Kremlin, did not answer phone
calls.
