Riot police arrest dozens at opposition protest in Moscow

A day after Prime Minister Vladimir Putin suggested that protesters who gather routinely in central Moscow should "have a club on the head," riot police on Tuesday broke up a crowd of about 2,000 opposition supporters and onlookers and arrested scores of people in Moscow.

According to The Gazette the clash was part of a ritual that has seen demonstrators gather on the 31st day of the month in Triumfalnaya Square to press for the right of free assembly as enshrined in Article 31 of the Russian Constitution.

"Permission from local authorities is needed" for a demonstration, Putin said in an interview published Monday by Kommersant, a popular daily newspaper. "If you come out without permission, have a club on the head, that is all.

"If (their) goal is to compel the authorities to make concessions, and if it happens, then they will find another pretext for provocations … ," said Putin. "And this will go on forever."

Protesters maintain that Article 31 allows them to gather without seeking government permission. The Kremlin cites a later law that says demonstrators must receive approval to gather from officials, who can also dictate where the rally is held.

Authorities have sought with some success to frustrate the gatherings in Triumfalnaya, holding an auto show in the square July 31 and a blood drive by pro-Kremlin youth accompanied by loud music on May 31.

On Tuesday, metal fences surrounded the area after the government announced a construction project, forcing demonstrators to gather on the edge of the square.

While the protesters chanted "Down with the police state!" and "Russia without Putin," riot police broke into the crowd, separated it into smaller groups and began making arrests.