Russian police detain opposition leader for leading Flag Day march in Moscow
By APSunday, August 22, 2010
Russian police detain opposition leader
MOSCOW — Moscow police have detained opposition leader Boris Nemtsov and another activist after they attempted to lead a march through the center of the Russian capital.
Nemtsov was leading about 100 opposition activists who tried to march through Moscow with a giant Russian flag. They were blocked by police, who dispersed the rally.
Sunday is Flag Day, a holiday celebrating the tricolor flag adopted by a newly democratic Russia as the Soviet Union collapsed.
Nemtsov spoke to The Associated Press from a police precinct. He said the police decision to stop a march honoring the Russian flag showed the mentality of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s government.
Nemtsov said “the flag is a symbol of freedom and democracy, only not for Putin.”
