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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Russian opposition in fresh rally | Russian opposition in fresh rally |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Hundreds of anti-Kremlin demonstrators have taken to the streets of St Petersburg, a day after a rally in Moscow ended in scuffles and arrests. | Hundreds of anti-Kremlin demonstrators have taken to the streets of St Petersburg, a day after a rally in Moscow ended in scuffles and arrests. |
| The participants gathered on a square in the city centre, but were encircled by a similar number of riot police. | The participants gathered on a square in the city centre, but were encircled by a similar number of riot police. |
| The protesters, allied under the Other Russia coalition, say President Vladimir Putin is stifling democracy. | The protesters, allied under the Other Russia coalition, say President Vladimir Putin is stifling democracy. |
| Former chess champion Garry Kasparov was among 170 people arrested during the march in Moscow. | Former chess champion Garry Kasparov was among 170 people arrested during the march in Moscow. |
| Mr Kasparov was freed several hours later after being fined $40 (£20) for public order offences. | Mr Kasparov was freed several hours later after being fined $40 (£20) for public order offences. |
| Several participants in the St Petersburg rally were detained on arrival in the city, including the leader of the Pora youth movement Andrey Sidelnikov and rally organiser Olga Kurnosova. | |
| March banned | March banned |
| A reporter for the radio said he saw interior ministry troops and a water cannon in the city, adding that people could be forgiven for thinking a military operation was about to start. | A reporter for the radio said he saw interior ministry troops and a water cannon in the city, adding that people could be forgiven for thinking a military operation was about to start. |
| Demonstrators were seen holding flags of various groups including those of the liberal Yabloko party and the ultra-nationalist National Bolshevik Party. | |
| Organisers have been contemplating whether to try to march down the city's main street, but police have threatened to block them. | Organisers have been contemplating whether to try to march down the city's main street, but police have threatened to block them. |
| It is no longer a country... where the government tries to pretend it is playing by the letter and spirit of the law Garry Kasparov In pictures: Rally quashed Star squares up to Putin | It is no longer a country... where the government tries to pretend it is playing by the letter and spirit of the law Garry Kasparov In pictures: Rally quashed Star squares up to Putin |
| Russian authorities have sanctioned the rally but banned a march. | Russian authorities have sanctioned the rally but banned a march. |
| Organisers said the tough reaction to the Moscow march would boost the turnout at the rally in Russia's second-largest city. | Organisers said the tough reaction to the Moscow march would boost the turnout at the rally in Russia's second-largest city. |
| "After what Moscow and Russian authorities are doing, I think far more people will come," said Olga Kurnosova, the leader of Mr Kasparov's United Civil Front in St Petersburg. | "After what Moscow and Russian authorities are doing, I think far more people will come," said Olga Kurnosova, the leader of Mr Kasparov's United Civil Front in St Petersburg. |
| President Vladimir Putin denies he is trampling on democracy, accusing the opposition of destabilising Russia. | President Vladimir Putin denies he is trampling on democracy, accusing the opposition of destabilising Russia. |
| In Moscow on Saturday, a huge security operation, including more than 9,000 police, was launched to prevent protesters from gathering at Pushkin Square. | In Moscow on Saturday, a huge security operation, including more than 9,000 police, was launched to prevent protesters from gathering at Pushkin Square. |
| 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. |
| Mr Kasparov was swiftly brought before a courtAfter being released Mr Kasparov said: "It is no longer a country... where the government tries to pretend it is playing by the letter and spirit of the law." | Mr Kasparov was swiftly brought before a courtAfter being released Mr Kasparov said: "It is no longer a country... where the government tries to pretend it is playing by the letter and spirit of the law." |
| The security operation in Moscow came as Russia warned it wanted the extradition of London-based exile Boris Berezovsky. | The security operation in Moscow 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. |