Posted on 07/31/2009 9:21:53 PM PDT by bruinbirdman
Pensioners, invalids and young people were among those arrested, as hundreds of riot police in blue fatigues obeyed orders to crack down on any show of dissent.
The rally, organised by the opposition Other Russia coalition to protest against Vladimir Putin, the prime minister, had been banned by city authorities.
"What kind of country is this? They're all bandits," cried Yekaterina Veselovskaya, 60, as riot police dragged off a friend. "We're going back to the Stalinist 1930s." In a new tactic, undercover agents and police arrested people for giving interviews to the press.
"Ever since Putin came to power, all his decisions have led to murder," Alexei Korostyshevsky told The Daily Telegraph before being grabbed by two undercover police. At least three similar arrests were made.
The anti-Kremlin opposition has been trying to capitalise on growing discontent resulting from the financial crisis, which the World Bank estimates will leave 24.6 million people, or 17 per cent of Russia's population, in poverty by the end of the year. The authorities, meanwhile, have become more intolerant of dissent.
They could face another big test on August 6 when a major workers' rally is planned in the southern city of Tolyatti, the heart of Russia's car industry, to protest against deteriorating economic conditions.
Russian news reports say riot police from around the country have been sent to the city. AvtoVaz, the main company in the area, is considering laying off 27,000 people, or a quarter of the workforce.
The authorities had stepped up their tactics against the opposition before Friday's rally. Eduard Limonov, leader of the banned National Bolshevik Party and a member of the Other Russia coalition, was arrested as he drove along a Moscow street. Boris Nemtsov, a former deputy prime minister and opposition leader, said this
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
So the Cold War was a draw after all
No it wasn’t. But when you win a war you have to maintain that victory.
Obama is in the process of reversing all past victories, destroying our superiority and image. Demonrats have been weaking our image for decades now, doubling and tripling their efforts over the past 8 years.
The tyrants of the world are no longer afraid, and are starting to make bold moves knowing they won’t face any retaliation from the USA.
Love that text image of Russia. A favorite theme when they were hunting the rich - the czar - was if we all take his wealth, then we will be wealthy! Very much a theme of Obama! Take the money from the wealthy. Obama has also overlooked another thing.... that capital is fluid and can readily move. So can the economic motors.
Look at the picture and prospects and recognize thats where Obama will take us!
Look for bank robberies to slowly increase. I saw the new Johnny Depp movie in a packed theater. It was no accident that some people were cheering Dillinger.
'Nuff said.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.