MOSCOW -- Police in Moscow dispersed a protest by dozens of opposition Yabloko party activists in front of the Russian State Duma today and arrested four of the demonstrators, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.
The activists were protesting the draft law broadening the rights and powers of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB).
The draft law empowers the FSB to detain suspects for up to 15 days without a court decision. It also allows the FSB to request media outlets to withdraw materials the FSB considers extremist.
Yabloko activists say that the new law gives the secret services "unlimited opportunities" to engage in unlawful acts, and is intended "to stifle dissent."
Duma deputies later approved the draft law in a first reading today.
The activists were protesting the draft law broadening the rights and powers of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB).
The draft law empowers the FSB to detain suspects for up to 15 days without a court decision. It also allows the FSB to request media outlets to withdraw materials the FSB considers extremist.
Yabloko activists say that the new law gives the secret services "unlimited opportunities" to engage in unlawful acts, and is intended "to stifle dissent."
Duma deputies later approved the draft law in a first reading today.
