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Russian opposition in fresh rally Russian opposition in fresh rally
(30 minutes 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 held a rally in St Petersburg, a day after a protest 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 at a square in the city centre, but were encircled by a similar number of riot police and prevented from marching.
The protesters, allied under the Other Russia coalition, say President Vladimir Putin is stifling democracy. Smaller groups clashed with police after the main rally had finished.
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.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.
The protesters, allied under the Other Russia coalition, say President Vladimir Putin is stifling democracy.
March bannedMarch 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 private Moscow Echo radio station said before the rally that 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.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. But correspondents say the turnout was not as good as the organisers might have hoped.
Organisers contemplated whether to try to march down the city's main street, but were blocked by police and began to disperse after two hours.
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 PutinIt 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. One group of demonstrators who avoided the encirclement tried to march but were stopped at a nearby railway station, where scuffles broke out with police, local media said.
Organisers said the tough reaction to the Moscow march would boost the turnout at the rally in Russia's second-largest city. Reports say several people were beaten by police, including an elderly man.
"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. Russian authorities sanctioned the rally but banned any marching.
President Vladimir Putin denies he is trampling on democracy, accusing the opposition of destabilising Russia. President Vladimir Putin denies the opposition charge that 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.