Moscow Police Disperse Opposition Protest Of Elections

Police detain a protester in Moscow on October 12.

MOSCOW -- Police in Moscow have dispersed opposition protesters who were complaining over alleged violations during the city duma elections on October 11, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.

More than 30 protesters were detained in the October 12 action. It was not initially clear what the charges against them were.

The leader of the My (We) movement, Roman Dobrokhotov, and the head of the United Civic Front's Moscow branch, Lolita Tsaria, were among those who were detained.

The meeting was not sanctioned by city authorities.

According to official results, only members of the ruling United Russia party and the Communist Party won seats on the Moscow City Duma.

Voter turnout in the Russian capital was 30 percent.

Several parties had complained that they were refused registration to take part in the elections and some would-be candidates had their applications rejected or disqualified for technical reasons.