Russia police arrest 1,000 protesters, opposition leaders over unapproved demonstration

The police in Russia launched a crackdown in Moscow on Saturday arresting more than 1,000 people including opposition leaders for their involvement in a protest over fair elections that was not approved.

According to reports, streets in the centre of the capital near the planned protest site at the city hall were closed down by hundreds of riot police and members of the national guard who were dispatched by the government.

Scores of demonstrators and prominent political figures who had arrived the protest site were forcefully put into vans before the protest could start amid scuffles.

“Putin is a thief,” chanted dozens of protesters who took to Petrovka street, one of the fanciest areas in Moscow.

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Police were quoted as saying by Russian news agencies that 1,074 people were arrested for a variety of offences.

“I’ve been scared all my life but enough is enough. If we stay home, nothing will change,” said Yelena Rastovka, a pensioner who joined the demonstration.

The latest protest is the second protest in Moscow within a week after last Saturday’s authorised rally for free local elections which turned out to be one of the largest demonstrations in Russia since the 2011-12 rallies against President Vladimir Putin’s re-election.

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