Kasparov arrested

Garry Kasparov was arrested today by the Russian police at a banned anti-Kremlin rally in central Moscow. It seems the police didn't wait as long as they did last month in St Petersburg and wouldn't let Kasparov and his Other Russia spread the anti-Putin word. The Russian President didn't take half measures and threw in more than 9,000 police men to prevent the rally going ahead. Kasparov wanted to join the rally but was arrested together with other activists as well as journalists.

Tomorrow another United Civil Front rally is planned, in St Petersburg. Whether Kasparov can be there or not, the many detentions by Putin today will strengthen the ex-world champion and his political colleagues in their claim that the first man of Russia continues to restrict the democratical values. For more information on Kasparov and his role in Russia's political arena we refer to our lengthy article of last month.

Update 16:24 CET: Kasparov's release has now been mentioned. It's interesting to see how the media function. FOCUS Information Agency writes "Kasparov was released several hours after he was arrested by riot police during a banned protest in Moscow, AFP reports, citing Interfax."

Update 21:05 CET: Kasparov is still being detained. He's being accused of shouting "anti government yells". He will probably be held in detention on remand for a while. The Dutch news had an item on it. It can be viewed here and begins after 9 minutes and 44 seconds. You can see Kasparov being put in a van, from where he shouts at the gathered press: "Tell your leaders that this regime is criminal, is a police state. They arrest people everywhere, because they're scared stiff that we..." after which the cameraman is pushed away.






Update 23:44 CET: Close to midnight Moscow time, Kasparov was released from the courthouse.

Update April 15, 09:48 CET: Here is a detailed report on the riot and the detentions. Kasparov.ru reports that Kasparov had to pay a fine of a thousand roubles (about 29 euros).