Posted on 04/14/2007 4:27:33 AM PDT by HAL9000
Police have arrested Russian opposition leader Garry Kasparov at a banned anti-Kremlin rally in central Moscow.He was detained during a huge security operation to prevent opponents of President Putin gathering at Pushkin Square.
The former chess champion leads the United Civil Front group, part of the opposition coalition Other Russia.
It accuses President Putin's regime of trampling on democracy. The Kremlin says Other Russia destabilises Russia.
Mr Kasparov was seen inside a police van waving and smiling at gathered media after his arrest, the Associated Press said.
Reports say dozens of other opposition activists were arrested, as well as some journalists.
The BBC's Moscow correspondent James Rodgers said there was a "colossal" presence by the Russian security forces to stop the protesters getting to the starting point of the rally.
He said Mr Kasparov's swift arrest followed warnings by the prosecution office on the eve of the march, stating that anyone participating risked being detained.
More than 9,000 police had been drafted into Moscow to prevent the rally going ahead.
The planned march came as Russia warned it wanted the extradition of London-based exile Boris Berezovsky.
Mr Berezovsky told the UK's Guardian newspaper he was plotting "revolution" to overthrow Vladimir Putin.
Accusing Mr Putin of creating an authoritarian regime, the tycoon said that Russia's leadership could only be removed by force.
Later, he clarified his words, stating that he backed "bloodless change" and did not support violence.
Other Russia has called for another massive march in St Petersburg on Sunday, which Moscow has also banned.
check mate, Putin
(tap-tap-tap) "Uh, I'm sorry to report that Comrade Kasparov, I mean, Mr. Kasparov, had a stroke last night after being arrested. His condition is quite poor and he might not recover. We'll release more information after he's dead, I mean, later this evening. Thank you. No questions, please."
ping
I think they’d rather defenestrate him.
Or Poloniumize him...
Is this Russia ........ or the USSR?!!!!
ahhh, yeah, the healthy glow of polonium!!!
where is my lovely ice-axe to fix mr.garry.
just a joke :)
There is no suppressed opposition in Russia supported or required by russian people indeed.
Mr.Kasparov is not a popular person in Russia - due to his hate not to Putin but to all russian.
So the fact that mr.Kasparov was arrested for an approximately 3 hours and fine for about 35$ for his (and a few his followers) disorders is not a political but a traffic misconduct
Not a "political" crime, eh? So how about this recent development:
http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/politics/28.html?id_issue=11714221Apr 16 2007 4:36PM
FSB checking Kasparov's radio address for extremism - Ekho MoskvyMOSCOW. April 16 (Interfax) - The Federal Security Service (FSB) is checking the radio address made by one of the leaders of the March of Dissent Garry Kasparov on Ekho Moskvy radio for elements of extremism.
Ekho Moskvy's editorial board received a request for its transcripts of the broadcast so that they could be checed for "possible signs of criminal activity in the address by Kasparov on the Counterblow program on April 8," the station said.
The request will also check "Kasparov's calls to take part in the March of Dissent on April 14, which could be qualified as a public call for extremist activity," it said.
Demonstrating peacefully for democracy and against Putin is now "extremist"?
No opposition required?
Yep, that's pretty much the impression we have of Putin's little playpen over here. Puck Futin.
Ekho Mosckvy is not a good source of information.
there are about 25 FM radio stations in Moscow,
and only ekho moskvy is susspected.
I think it’s clear enough that not all of other stations are bought or suppressed KGB :)
Ekho moskvy tells the truth and facts, but ONLY bad news you can hear there. Let’s imagine radio station in NY tells all day along just about USA soldiers killed in Iraq or Afganistan or tragedies in university. it’s not a good radio to listen - just because you will never hear there something good.
Btw, that really was really disgusting for most of russian people.
at this rally was west-oriented “so called democrats” in on e line with facists, national-bolshevik and ortdox communists. And there was not so much people - just around one thousand.
it not a good company for wise people :)
the fact is that for about 70% of Russian people support Putin.
So any opposition (15% moderete communists, 5% democrats, 5% ortodox communists, 5% all other) is againist Russian people.
As for me, I surely do not need such opposition like mr.Garry (In Russian free forums and discussion - without any moderation - guys call’s him dirty-garry :))
It’s link to German site:
http://sebew.wordpress.com/2007/04/15/lupenreine-russische-demokratie/
It’s in german language but you will see there photo of people on the roof.The banner they hold means “Hello to the rally of political prostitutes”.
And they are not KGB agent, trust me :)
And if police was not strong enough that rally members would be beaten by angry people.
So that rally was not a opinion of suppressed people but just a provocation oriented on the world press.
The more things change the more they stay the same.
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