Dennis the 'Bloody Peasant'
11th June 2012, 13:09
Police in Moscow are searching the homes of several opposition leaders on the eve of a planned anti-government rally, Russian officials say.
Anti-corruption blogger Alexei Navalny, Sergei Udaltsov and Ilya Yashin are among those targeted by police.
The investigation relates to clashes between protesters and police on 6 May.
On Friday, President Vladimir Putin signed a new law sharply increasing fines for people who hold unsanctioned protests and cause damage or injury.
Russia's Investigative Committee said police "intend to conduct 10 searches in all today".
Alexei Navalny described Monday's police raid as "awesome" in a message on Twitter, saying "they almost carved up the door (this is actually true)".
He said police removed computer disks containing photos of his children, along with items of clothing, including a sweatshirt with an opposition slogan.
Moscow Echo radio said police also targeted the home of Ksenia Sobchak - a famous television presenter who joined the protest movement after the December parliamentary elections, which the opposition said were rigged in favour of pro-Putin candidates.
The controversial law on protests, adopted last week, boosts fines for violations from the current maximum 5,000 roubles (£99; $152) to 300,000 for participants and 600,000 for organisers.
The 6 May protest, on the eve of President Putin's inauguration, resulted in clashes and hundreds of arrests.
Mr Navalny and Mr Udaltsov are among dozens of activists who have spent time in jail after holding anti-Putin rallies.
(More at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18393060)
Anti-corruption blogger Alexei Navalny, Sergei Udaltsov and Ilya Yashin are among those targeted by police.
The investigation relates to clashes between protesters and police on 6 May.
On Friday, President Vladimir Putin signed a new law sharply increasing fines for people who hold unsanctioned protests and cause damage or injury.
Russia's Investigative Committee said police "intend to conduct 10 searches in all today".
Alexei Navalny described Monday's police raid as "awesome" in a message on Twitter, saying "they almost carved up the door (this is actually true)".
He said police removed computer disks containing photos of his children, along with items of clothing, including a sweatshirt with an opposition slogan.
Moscow Echo radio said police also targeted the home of Ksenia Sobchak - a famous television presenter who joined the protest movement after the December parliamentary elections, which the opposition said were rigged in favour of pro-Putin candidates.
The controversial law on protests, adopted last week, boosts fines for violations from the current maximum 5,000 roubles (£99; $152) to 300,000 for participants and 600,000 for organisers.
The 6 May protest, on the eve of President Putin's inauguration, resulted in clashes and hundreds of arrests.
Mr Navalny and Mr Udaltsov are among dozens of activists who have spent time in jail after holding anti-Putin rallies.
(More at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18393060)