Several people were detained on Sunday during a planned opposition flashmob turned into a spontaneous demonstration at the gates of the Red Square.

      Hundreds of opposition activists announced on social networks their intention to take part in an opposition flashmob to turn the historic centre of Moscow into “White Square.” But, on April 1, when they came to the the twin Resurrection Gates with white ribbons, balloons and white, wordless banners, they found out the Red Square was closed, as officers at the scene said, for “technical reasons” relating to a planned May 9 World War Two Victory Day parade.

      “They’ve closed the gates because they are afraid of protests,” some of protesters said. They started expressing their indignation and demanding police open the Gates at the entrance to the square. Some of the protesters decorated the gates with flowers and the white ribbons, while the others formed a human circle and chanted “Russia without Putin!! and “Russia will be free!”

      The police considered it as violation of public peace and detained about 55 people, pushing them into waiting police trucks. All of the protesters were released few hours later.

       Some 60 people were also detained at a similar protest action on March 31, after an unauthorized event on the on Triumfalnaya Square. Among them was the leader of the Other Russia movement Eduard Limonov. This was a traditional action, which is held on the last day of each month with 31 days in support of Article 31 of the Russian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of assembly. 

Sources: Vedomosti ntv.ru Image: irsolo.ru