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Kasparov arrested at Moscow rally | Kasparov arrested at Moscow rally |
(30 minutes later) | |
Police have arrested Russian opposition leader Garry Kasparov at a banned anti-Kremlin rally in 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 protesters from gathering at Pushkin Square. Police deny reports he has now been freed. | 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 Vladimir Putin 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. |
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. | 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. |
"They grabbed everyone without distinction, without asking any questions," he said. | "They grabbed everyone without distinction, without asking any questions," he said. |
There is a war-like situation in the city centre Garry Kasparov Star squares up to Putin | There is a war-like situation in the city centre Garry Kasparov Star squares up to Putin |
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. | 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. | 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. | "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. |