Opposition activists detained in Russia

                       
Police in Moscow on Saturday detained about 10 opposition activists protesting in support of people they claim are political prisoners.                  

The unauthorised demonstration was held at Manezhnaya square, near Red Square, where protesters gathered with posters and white ribbons.                          

One protester, Ekaterina Moldon, stood in the middle of the square with a red wreath to mark the "funeral" of democracy.                           

"We want to say that democracy in Russia has died. This is the funeral," she said.                      

Moldon, along with several other protesters, was later arrested and taken to a waiting police van.                   
A week ago, nine people were detained in the same square for holding a similarly unauthorised demonstration.                    

However, unlike last week's demonstration - when opposition activists managed to gain access to the Red Square - no such entry was possible because of a heavy police presence and the closing of the square for an hour.                       

Many of the prisoners for whom the activists were showing support were arrested last May after a protest on the eve of Vladimir Putin's inauguration as president.


AP