Dozens held in anti-Kremlin protest

A month of anti-Kremlin protests across Russia culminated in an awkward melee between pro-democracy demonstrators and police in central Moscow on the 31 August 2010, with dozens of protesters arrested and several injured.

The authorities detained opposition politician Boris Nemtsov and dozens of others during the protests, according to a delegation of European Union officials.

Rallies have been called on the 31st day of the month throughout 2010, a nod to the 31st Article of the Russian constitution, which guarantees the right of assembly.

EUObserver, 1.9.10: MEPs at Moscow rally 'shocked' by police tactics http://euobserver.com/9/30709

Deutsche Welle, 31.8.10: Russian opposition politician detained during protests http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5962516,00.html

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