On the sidelines of the G8 summit, at least 37 demonstrators are reported to have been detained after staging a sit-in in the centre of St Petersburg. Activists said they wanted to heckle G8 delegations staying at a city hotel. Police moved in, using their truncheons according to organisers, who said those taking part in the demonstration included people from Britain, Germany and Poland. Activists claim Russian police have used intimidation and arbitrary detentions to keep protesters away from the city. Officials say people are free to protest but only if they abide by the law. The authorities have allocated demonstrators a sports stadium for their rallies.

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