Russia Protests: Hundreds arrested in anti-Putin rallies ahead of inauguration

World
Europe

02:19

In Russia, organizers say more than one-thousand have been arrested in anti-Putin demonstrations across the country. The protests were called by one of Vladimir Putin's most-ardent opponents - Alexei Navalny -- who was himself arrested in Moscow. CGTN's Jessica King reports from the capital.

Russia's most prominent Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny was carried through a crowd of protesters in Moscow and loaded into the back of a police van. Hundreds of anti-Putin demonstrators were arrested. Rallies like this were held in cities across Russia. The message - "Putin - Out".

NAVALNY SUPPORTER "We are all here today because Putin is still our president, and there is no freedom in the media or anything in Russia. People cannot stand this situation, they want to do anything to change this."

NAVALNY SUPPORTER "We are here today for choice, for democracy, because in our country we have no democracy - we have a problem with democracy, with justice. We can't join in the political life of our country."

JESSICA KING MOSCOW "Supporters have spilled out in the streets of central Moscow, as riot police try to hold them back. This protest has been anything but peaceful."

Not everyone here supports Navalny.

There was a strong pro-Kremlin presence - chanting Vladimir Putin's name and wearing Saint George's ribbons, a symbol of patriotism.

KREMLIN SUPPORTER "Putin is a supporter of Russian interests and the interests of our nation. It's very important. The elections of the president in Russia tell the whole world the importance of Putin."

KREMLIN SUPPORTER "Me personally, I'm not against President Putin. I'm happy with everything, everything he's doing."

Despite the unrest, Putin still enjoys widespread support in Russia. He was re-elected in March with 76% of the vote. But frustration and anger at his long hold on power has been compounded by allegations of electoral fraud, and many protesters here are not afraid to say they want a future without him. Jessica King, CGTN, Moscow.