Police in Moscow made a number of arrests on Sunday as a planned opposition flashmob turned into a spontaneous demonstration at the gates of Red Square.
Protesters formed a human circle and chanted “Russia without Putin!! and “Russia will be free!” before moving on to demand police open the twin Resurrection Gates at the entrance to the square.
“This is our city! Open up!” some 300 people shouted as police guarded the gates, which protesters had earlier decorated with flowers and the white ribbons that have become the symbol of the “For Fair Elections” opposition movement.
Police snatch squads them moved in, pushing detainees into waiting police trucks. A police spokesman later said 55 people had been detained.
A man collapsed as police made arrests and was loaded into a waiting ambulance. There was no immediate information on his condition.
The protest came around a month after Vladimir Putin was elected to a third term in the Kremlin in a landslide poll victory marred by allegations of electoral violations.
“I’m here because I’m against Putin and his lies,” said a smartly dressed thirtysomething woman who gave her name as Yelana Chumakovskaya. “There will be more protests and disorder this summer, I’m sure.”
Police closed off Red Square earlier on Sunday after hundreds of people had said on social networks that they intended to take part in an opposition flashmob to turn the historic centre of Moscow into “White Square.”
“White ribbons aren’t swastikas,” said Yevgeny Alokhin, who described himself as one of the organizers of the flashmob. “Why can’t we walk on Red Square?”
Protesters also held up white, wordless banners.
Officers at the scene said the square had been closed for “technical reasons” relating to a planned May 9 World War Two Victory Day parade. Police spokespeople directed all enquires to Red Square's Federal Guard Service, which did not return repeated calls on Sunday afternoon.
“They’ve closed the gates because they are afraid of protests,” said Muscovite businessman Veniamin Astrakhantsev.
Some 30 people were detained at a similar flashmob on Red Square on March 25.
Protest leaders have called for a march of millions rally on May 6, the eve of Putin’s inauguration. None, however, were present at Sunday’s demonstration.
