MOSCOW (AP) — Some 80 Russian opposition activists have been detained during protests against the Kremlin's stifling of political and democratic freedom.
Associated Press journalists saw police detain a dozen protesters who gathered in Moscow and St. Petersburg on Monday evening, chanting "Russia without Putin!," referring to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
The reporters witnessed police dispersing the rallies and forcing the protesters into police vans.
Police officials told Russian media that more than 30 people were detained in Moscow and more than 50 in St. Petersburg.
Russia’s marginalized opposition groups have rallied on the last day of every month with 31 days, a nod to the 31st Article of the Russian constitution, which guarantees the right of assembly.
