About 30 opposition activists were arrested Tuesday in Moscow for holding a demonstration that had not been cleared by authorities, DPA reported.
The demonstrators had been protesting a decision that would block some opposition parties from participating in December 4 elections for the parliament, or Duma, the Interfax news agency reported.
Police moved in as the protesters lofted banners reading "Elections without an opposition are a crime." They chanted "Russia without (Prime Minister Vladimir) Putin."
Witnesses said police used force to break up the protest.
Russia has been astir since the weekend after Putin and President Dmitry Medvedev announced that they would both run in 2012 - for each other's jobs. Because their United Russia party is largely tipped to win, it would be a de facto extension of the existing government.
About 30 arrested for unsanctioned demonstration in Moscow
About 30 opposition activists were arrested Tuesday in Moscow for holding a demonstration that had not been cleared by authorities.
