Over 1000 detained at anti-Putin protests in Russia

More than 1000 demonstrators protesting against President Vladimir Putin, including Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, were detained by the police in Russia on Saturday.

The number of the detained people was confirmed by the OVD-Info human rights monitor, according to several media reports.

On the whole, 1,029 people were arrested in 19 different cities across the country, the group reported. It said 475 of the detentions had taken place in Moscow alone.

The opposition demonstrations, organised by Navalny, who is Putin's most prominent foe, are being held across Russia on the eve of Putin's inauguration for a fourth term as president, several media reports stated.

Police in riot gear waded into the crowd on Pushkin Square and was seen grabbing some demonstrators and leading them away.

Crowds, gathered at Moscow's Pushkin Square, shouted slogans like "Down with the Tsar!" and "Russia without Putin".

A video showed the police carrying a struggling Navalny out of the square, holding him by the legs and arms, RadioFreeEurope Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reported.

Putin is due to be sworn in for his fourth term as Russia's President on May 7.