Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

September 7, 2008 12:59:37 AM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Russian Crackdown Draws Fire

Posted Nov 26, 07 9:40 AM CST in World 

(Newser) – Authorities detained Russian opposition leaders yesterday and broke up a St. Petersburg rally and march in the second day of aggressive crackdowns on dissent, the Washington Post reports. Several candidates in Sunday's parliamentary elections were among the 200 held. "They have forbidden us from discussing Putin," one candidate told demonstrators just before he was arrested.

Others were supporters of chess legend-turned-activist Garry Kasparov, who was sentenced to 5 days in jail for a protest Saturday in Moscow. Police beat demonstrators, witnesses said, leading activists to accuse the government of hypocrisy for resorting to the same tactics it harshly criticized Georgian authorities for using against dissidents there. The US and European human-rights activists expressed concern.

Sources Washington Post, BBC

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • New Russian Prez Digs Hard Rock, Putin

    Mar 4, 08 12:20 PM CST
    New Russian Prez Digs Hard Rock, Putin Trivia on Russian president-elect Dmitry Medvedev—that he is a swimmer, a yoga lover, and Deep Purple buff—merely masks a man wholly devoted to Vladimir Putin, New Yorker editor David Remnick writes. "Trivia domesticated even the worst Soviet-era résumés," he reminds us: Catherine the Great loved horses, Nicholas II photography, and Alexander III the French horn. Medvedev's pastimes are just as trivial. More »

  • Medvedev Wins in a Landslide

    Mar 2, 08 2:53 PM CST
    Medvedev Wins in a Landslide On par with expectations, Dmitry Medvedev has won Russia’s presidential election with 69.6% of the vote, an exit poll says. His closest rival took just 17.2%. The victory likely means little change for Russia, as Medvedev has asked current president Vladimir Putin to be his prime minister after Putin leaves office in May, Reuters reports. More »

  • Russians Vote for New Prez

    Mar 2, 08 9:09 AM CST
    Russians Vote for New Prez Russians headed to the polls today to vote for a successor to President Vladimir Putin in what was expected to be rubber-stamp support for his hand-picked heir. Though voters have a choice, Putin aide Dmitry Medvedev faces no serious opposition. "I'm in a good mood. Spring is here," said Medvedev, 42. More »

  • Voters Bullied to Boost Medvedev

    Mar 1, 08 7:31 AM CST
    Voters Bullied to Boost Medvedev The Russian government is plotting widespread fraud in tomorrow's presidential election, Russian sources claim in a Guardian report. Ballot boxes will be stuffed and public sector workers have been pressured to vote to ensure a landslide victory for Vladimir Putin's handpicked successor, Dmitry Medvedev. Analysts say Medvedev would win anyway, but the Kremlin is seeking a 68-70% turnout, with about 72% voting for Medvedev. More »

  • Putin Pushes for High Turnout

    Feb 29, 08 4:35 PM CST
    Putin Pushes for High Turnout Even with the outcome all but certain, Vladimir Putin took to the airwaves today to urge Russians to vote in Sunday’s elections. Putin wants to enable his hand-picked presidential successor, Dmitry Medvedev, to claim a strong mandate, so the government is pushing for turnout of at least 65%, the London Times reports. That puts pressure on regional politicians and factory owners . More »

An elderly woman walks down a street as police officers confront protesters during a rally against President Vladimir Putin's government in St. Petersburg, Russia, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007. Riot police detained...   (Associated Press)
Police officers detain a protester during a rally against President Vladimir Putin's government in St. Petersburg, Russia, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007. Riot police detained dozens of opposition activists rallying...   (Associated Press)
Police officers detain a protester during a rally against President Vladimir Putin's government in St. Petersburg, Russia, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007. Riot police detained dozens of opposition activists rallying...   (Associated Press)
Police officers detain Boris Nemtsov, center, an opposition leader and a likely contender in March's presidential election, during a rally against President Vladimir Putin's government in St. Petersburg,...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (1 of 1)

Tags

Russia  • Vladimir Putin  • election  • human rights  • Russian elections  • police crackdown


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular


Other World Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »