Russia cracks down – hard – on protesters
The pro-democracy coalition led by Garry Kasparov lacked a permit, and was overwhelmed by the harsh tactics of state forces.
from the April 16, 2007 edition
Page 2 of 3
On Saturday morning, the Main Interior Directorate's official representative Yevgeniy Gildeyev warned that the police would be tough on the protesters.
"It is not important for the police what action is being held and what people are demanding. The main thing for us is whether the action has been sanctioned, whether it has been allowed or banned by the authorities," he told Ehko Moskovy radio station. "In this respect, our direct duty is to suppress all the activities that will be carried out illegally. These [activities] violate the law, which we enforce."
An estimated 9,000 police and Interior troops descended on Pushkin Square Saturday, where only a few hundred The Other Russia supporters turned out for the "Dissenters' March."
Lines of troops boxed in the small group of protesters, then repeatedly charged them, beating many and dragging several away in a lock position with truncheons pulled tight against their throats.
Pro-Kremlin protesters rally nearby, unhindered
Across the square, and unhindered by the phalanxes of riot police, about 1,000 members of the pro-Kremlin "Young Guard" youth movement were holding a rally in support of Putin.
According to the Moscow Times, the Young Guard filed its application a minute before Other Russia with the express intent of preventing the Dissenters' March. It received a permit for 15,000 people to gather at the square at the same time.
Andrey Safronov, a member of the Young Guard political council, told Ekho Moskvy a week ago that the "Consenters' March" was a response "to the provocative attempts by politically marginalized elements to provoke chaos at any cost and to launch an 'Orange' scenario in Russia so as to recast the country alongside imported molds."
Vladimir Ryzhkov, a Duma deputy and leader of the recently banned Republican Party, who was threatened and jostled by police Saturday, underscored that point.
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