Police and demonstrators clashed in central Moscow last night during protests against widespread fraud in Sunday’s election of Vladimir Putin to a third term as Russia’s president.
Police said the protest, which began peacefully, numbered 14,000, while organisers claimed 20,000. When police tried to clear the square at 9.45pm, a small group refused to leave and scuffles broke out.
Police made scores of arrests, including Alexei Navalny, the charismatic anti-corruption blogger who has become one of the main opposition leaders. Earlier, Mr Navalny led the crowds in a roaring chant as he denounced the elections as falsified and illegitimate.