Russian riot police arrested dozens of people on Saturday in Moscow and Saint Petersburg who tried to stage unsanctioned New Year's Eve protests against 12 years of Vladimir Putin's dominant rule. The show of police force marked the first time the authorities had cracked down on members of the Russian opposition since allowing two massive rallies on December 10 and December 24.
Chants of "Russia without Putin" and "We need another Russia" rang out at both events Saturday. Reports said that 200 people had also gathered in the central city of Nizhny Novgorod without being arrested. Moscow police reported detaining 60 people after setting up an imposing cordon around the central Triumfalnaya Square while an AFP correspondent saw a dozen more roughly rounded up by helmeted crack troops in Saint Petersburg. Russia's opposition has been mobilised by the outcome of disputed December 4 parliamentary polls in which Putin's ruling party retained a narrow majority amid widespread allegations of fraud.
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