Russian riot police detained four opposition leaders today to stop them taking part in a banned rally against President Vladimir Putin in front of the former KGB security police's headquarters in Moscow.
The rally was intended to celebrate the first anniversary of demonstrations that grew into the biggest protests against Putin since he rose to power 13 years ago, but police were out in force to keep order and helicopters buzzed overhead.
Despite the risk of arrest, protesters stood clapping. Some chanted "Free political prisoners" and "Down with the police state." One unfurled a banner saying "crooks and thieves" - the popular name used to describe the Russian leadership.
Leftist Sergei Udaltsov and anti-corruption blogger Alexei Navalny were detained on the central Lubyanka Square, where witnesses said about 2,000 people gathered, and protest leaders Ilya Yashin and Ksenia Sobchak were detained on their way.
"The bloody regime has got to Sobchak," Navalny said before he was hauled away, referring to the 31-year-old former socialite who has joined the opposition even though her late father was once St Petersburg mayor and a close ally of Putin.
Moscow city authorities refused to...
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