Opposition protests, March of Dissent, were held in Russia's two largest cities over the weekend. Rights groups, oppositionists and journalists have accused Russian police of abusing their power in dispersing the unsanctioned opposition demonstrations. A total of 250 and 170 people were detained respectively.
"It was clearly a peaceful protest," the U.S. State Department spokesman, Sean McCormack, said. "It raises questions about whether or not those opposition figures are able to freely express their opinions."
He said the Bush Administration was closely following the situation with the "marches" in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
"In any state where you are having elections, it is imperative that all participants and everybody who has a voice in the political spectrum be able to freely express their point of view without threat of harassment or intimidation," McCormack said.
Russian law enforcement bodies said riot police had reacted adequately and within the law.
