Russian
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- In pictures: Russia protests
Russian opposition figure Sergei Udaltsov (speaking into phone) was among the crowd |
The Russian
authorities have allowed opposition supporters to roam freely around Red Square
in Moscow but prevented a group from pitching a tent.
Wearing
their trademark white ribbons or carrying white flowers, a number of
demonstrators walked around under the Kremlin walls.
Some handed
out leaflets as part of their campaign against alleged ballot-rigging at recent
elections.
Police only
intervened to stop three people trying to set up the tent.
One of
them, environmental activist Yevgenia Chirikova, was detained and then
released, reportedly with a court summons.
Two persons
detained with her were also expected to be freed after being charged with
"petty hooliganism", Russian police told Interfax news agency.
"The
tent outside the Kremlin is a symbol of resistance to an illegitimate
government," Ms Chirikova said later in a message on Twitter.
'Another
planet'
Protesters
were not allowed to demonstrate on Red Square during the elections in December
and March.
The square
was sealed off last weekend when activists attempted to gather there for a
silent protest, and arrests were made.
But on
Sunday, the atmosphere on the square was relaxed, correspondents say. According
to Reuters news agency, "hundreds" of demonstrators turned out.
"I
feel like I've come to another planet, I do not understand what is happening,
this is the Kremlin," activist Vitaly Zalomov told Reuters.
"Where
are the police?"
Huge
protest rallies were held in Moscow after the parliamentary election in
December and before the presidential election last month, when Vladimir Putin
was returned to office.
Currently
serving as prime minister to President Dmitry Medvedev, he is due to be
inaugurated as president on 7 May, after which he will formally return to the
Kremlin.
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