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Russians Stage Rally in Moscow Against Hamas Delegation's Arrival

Posted on: Friday, 3 March 2006, 06:00 CST

Excerpt from report by Russian Mayak radio on 3 March

An unsanctioned rally is taking place in front of the Palestinian embassy in Moscow, in protest against the arrival of a Hamas delegation in Russia. Six activists of the youth movement Oborona [Defence] have been detained. [Passage omitted]

[Correspondent reporting from the scene] The rally is now all but over. It was organized by the youth movement of the Union of Right Forces and by the informal Oborona public movement. They are demanding the cessation of talks with Hamas leadership, calling this organization terrorist. They are also recalling the president's statement that there can be no talks with terrorists. However, I must note that formally Hamas is not regarded as a terrorist organization in Russia. The results of this action are as follows: you said that six activists had been arrested but, in actual fact, the number is seven. They have been detained and taken to the 60th police precinct. The remainder had their passport data taken. In all, between 10 and 12 people took part in the action.

Police officers were courteous and correct, explaining the detention by the fact that the participants in the rally were refused permission to hold it and hence it was illegal.

Press people have also now been asked, just as courteously to disperse.

Source: BBC Monitoring Newsfile

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