MOSCOW (AP) — Moscow police have detained dozens of people at an anti-Kremlin protest, including a prominent rights activist.
The 82-year-old Lyudmila Alexeyeva was among those seen being pushed into police vans during the protest on a central Moscow square.
The New Year’s Eve protest is a repeat of actions held on the 31st of July, August and October. The timing is a nod to the 31st Article of the Russian constitution, which guarantees the right of assembly.
City authorities have banned the protests and sent police to break them up. This was the first time that they have detained Alexeyeva.
Some of the protesters Thursday shouted "Freedom" or "End Putin’s Reign."
Since Vladimir Putin came to power 10 years ago, political opposition has been crushed.
