Moscow, May 31 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Dozens of activists were detained during rallies Tuesday in Moscow and St. Petersburg in support of freedom of assembly.

At least 26 people were detained on Moscow’s Triumfalnaya Square, a local police spokeswoman said.

Russian opposition and human rights activists rally on the last day of every month with 31 days in support of Article 31 of the constitution, which guarantees freedom of assembly.

Some 100 activists took part in the Moscow rally, the spokeswoman said.

In St. Petersburg, besides some 40 opposition protesters, police also detained several anti-opposition activists who were carrying placards saying ‘The opposition is a clown and shame for St. Petersburg’.

–IANS/RIA Novosti
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