Police prepare to push supporters of Russian opposition activist and anti-corruption crusader Alexei Navalny away during an unsanctioned protest in Manezhnaya Square in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014. The unsanctioned protest came hours after Alexei Navalny was found guilty of fraud and given a suspended sentence. Navalny, who has been under house arrest since February, is accused of breaking the terms of his house arrest to attend the rally and was detained by police as he approached the site of the protest. (AP Photo/Denis Tyrin)
December 31, 2014 - 1:00 AM
MOSCOW - 18 protesters, including members of the punk provocateur band Pussy Riot, have been detained in Moscow after spending the night near the Red Square.
Pussy Riot member Maria Alekhina said on Twitter that she and other protesters who stayed the night near the famous Moscow landmark were detained by police early Wednesday.
Activists at the OVD Info group said 18 people were taken to a nearby police station.
A few thousand people rallied outside the Red Square on Tuesday in the boldest anti-government demonstration in years to protest against the court conviction of opposition leader Alexei Navalny and his brother. Police allowed the protesters to stay for about two hours before dispersing the crowd.
OVD Info said over 200 people were also arrested on Tuesday although many have been released.
News from © The Associated Press, 2014