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Kasparov arrested at Moscow rally Kasparov arrested at Moscow rally
(about 1 hour later)
Police have arrested Russian opposition leader Garry Kasparov at a banned anti-Kremlin rally in central Moscow. Police have arrested Russian opposition leader Garry Kasparov at a banned anti-Kremlin rally in Moscow.
He was detained during a huge security operation to prevent opponents of President Putin gathering at Pushkin Square. He was detained during a huge security operation to prevent protesters from gathering at Pushkin Square. Police deny reports he has now been freed.
The former chess champion leads the United Civil Front group, part of the opposition coalition Other Russia.The former chess champion leads the United Civil Front group, part of the opposition coalition Other Russia.
It accuses President Putin's regime of trampling on democracy. The Kremlin says Other Russia destabilises Russia. It accuses President Vladimir Putin of trampling on democracy. The Kremlin says Other Russia destabilises Russia.
Mr Kasparov was seen inside a police van waving and smiling at gathered media after his arrest, the Associated Press said. As he was being taken away, Mr Kasparov told Russian Ekho Moskvy radio that he had been "walking with a group of people along the pavement without any slogans" when riot police had surrounded them.
IIf you look at this as a chess game, I'm not the player, I'm the piece: a very important piece, maybe one of the most important pieces, but still one of many Garry Kasparov class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6551725.stm">Chess star squares up to Putin "They grabbed everyone without distinction, without asking any questions," he said.
Reports say dozens of other opposition activists were arrested, as well as some journalists. There is a war-like situation in the city centre Garry Kasparov class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6551725.stm">Star squares up to Putin
The BBC's Moscow correspondent James Rodgers said there was a "colossal" presence by the Russian security forces to stop the protesters getting to the starting point of the rally.
He said Mr Kasparov's swift arrest followed warnings by the prosecution office on the eve of the march, stating that anyone participating risked being detained.
More than 9,000 police had been drafted into Moscow to prevent the rally going ahead.More than 9,000 police had been drafted into Moscow to prevent the rally going ahead.
Mr Kasparov's swift arrest followed warnings by the prosecution office on the eve of the march, stating that anyone participating risked being detained.
And Mr Kasparov said the security presence meant the rally could not go ahead.
"I suppose it will be quite difficult to do anything now, you see, everything is shut off - there is a war-like situation in the city centre, as a matter of fact," he told Russian radio.
The planned march came as Russia warned it wanted the extradition of London-based exile Boris Berezovsky.The planned march came as Russia warned it wanted the extradition of London-based exile Boris Berezovsky.
Mr Berezovsky told the UK's Guardian newspaper he was plotting "revolution" to overthrow Vladimir Putin.Mr Berezovsky told the UK's Guardian newspaper he was plotting "revolution" to overthrow Vladimir Putin.
Accusing Mr Putin of creating an authoritarian regime, the tycoon said that Russia's leadership could only be removed by force.Accusing Mr Putin of creating an authoritarian regime, the tycoon said that Russia's leadership could only be removed by force.
Later, he clarified his words, stating that he backed "bloodless change" and did not support violence.Later, he clarified his words, stating that he backed "bloodless change" and did not support violence.
Other Russia has called for another massive march in St Petersburg on Sunday, which Moscow has also banned.Other Russia has called for another massive march in St Petersburg on Sunday, which Moscow has also banned.