Police clampdown on Russian freedom demo

Russian police have arrested dozens of anti-Kremlin activists for holding an illegal demonstration in Moscow’s Triumfalnaya Square.

Some 100 people attended the rally in support of the “freedom of assembly”, but quickly attracted the attention of the authorities.

“There’s a clique from St Petersbourg that’s running the country,” said one woman shortly before herself being arrested. “They’ve taken all the key positions. The elections aren’t fair, you can’t express yourself, nobody will hear it. That’s why we’ve come here.”

“The question is why are those in power so frightened of free speech,” asked one man.

In all 47 people were arrested , including Eduard Limonov, the leader of the outlawed Nationalist Bolshevik Party, who was detained on his way to the protest.

Copyright © 2009 euronews

tags: Demonstration, Russia