Russian forces arrest several people in raid on opposition meeting
Russian security forces have arrested several people after breaking up an opposition gathering, according to a dpa reporter at the scene.
Opposition politician Vladimir
Kara-Murza and activist Alexei Pivovarov were among those arrested, several of
whom were being held in prisoner transport vehicles nearby.
Dozens of people, including
journalists who wanted to cover the event, were temporarily held in the hotel
where the meeting was taking place. It was unclear why the police broke up the
event.
The Russian opposition has
repeatedly spoken out about freedom of assembly violations by security forces.
Attempts by dissidents to assemble and organize have repeatedly failed for this
reason
Several prominent opposition
figures were to appear at the meeting of the so-called "United
Democrats," including the Moscow local politician Ilya Yashin.
A new parliament will be elected
in Russia this autumn. In the election, the United Russia party linked to
President Vladimir Putin wants to defend its two-thirds majority.
