RUSSIA: Police arrest at least six people breaking up an opposition protest outside of President Vladimir Putin's administration offices on his 60th birthday

Record ID: 863119

  • Title: RUSSIA: Police arrest at least six people breaking up an opposition protest outside of President Vladimir Putin's administration offices on his 60th birthday
  • Date: 8th October 2012
  • Summary: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (OCTOBER 7, 2012) (REUTERS) MONUMENT TO WAR HEROES OPPOSITE PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN'S ADMINISTRATION OFFICES PROTESTERS SURROUNDED BY MEDIA POLICE LOOKING ON (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) PROTESTER MAYA, SAYING: "These are balaclavas. Yes, I brought them as a gift (for Putin). Of course, he will not wear them. But as in Bulgakov's novel where one of his heroines was given a shawl which she strangled a toddler with, I similarly brought him the balaclavas of arrested (Pussy Riot) group members." POLICE IN RIOT GEAR MOVING IN (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) PROTESTER MAYA, SAYING: "I think badly of him (Putin). Because he reneges on his promises." POLICEMAN APPROACHING MAYA, MAYA ARGUING WITH HIM PHOTOGRAPHERS TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS VARIOUS OF POLICE IN RIOT GEAR ARRESTING PROTESTER MAYA, GRABBING HER AND DRAGGING TO POLICE BUS VARIOUS OF POLICE DRAGGING ANOTHER ARRESTED PROTESTER TO POLICE BUS BY HIS LEGS, STUMBLING AND FALLING POLICE IN RIOT GEAR BRINGING ARRESTED PROTESTER TO POLICE BUS
  • Embargoed: 23rd October 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Russian Federation
  • City:
  • Country: Russia
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVABXADOKZBD2430TFM770RIACTB
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Russian police in riot gear broke up a gathering of protesters on Sunday (October 7) outside of the administration of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who turned 60 on Sunday.
    Protester Maya said she came to the rally in central Moscow to criticise Putin, who opponents say won a third Kremlin term by rigging March presidential election. She brought with her ironic "gifts" for Putin on his birthday.
    "These are balaclavas. Yes, I brought them as a gift (for Putin)," Maya said, adding, "Of course, he will not wear them. But as in Bulgakov's novel where one of his heroines was given a shawl which she strangled a toddler with, I similarly brought him the balaclavas of arrested (Pussy Riot) group members."
    "I think badly of him (Putin). Because he reneges on his promises..." Maya said, before police moved in to grab her and pull her to a waiting bus.
    At least six protesters were arrested.
    In another anti-Putin protest earlier in the day, activists gathered at a Moscow square calling on Putin to retire. Organisers brought gifts suitable for a pensioner - from reading glasses to prosthetic teeth.
    The authorities appeared to be seeking to play down Putin's birthday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the president would spend the day relaxing with close family and no special celebrations were planned.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register