Protests denied

The right of assembly is guaranteed by the Russian Constitution, but is being squelched by the government.

Opposition groups have staged rallies on the 31st day of each month to note the 31st article of the country's constitution that provides the right to assemble.

Such a rally was held Tuesday in Moscow and, like others, was broken up by police, the Associated Press reported. The government requires prior authorization for such gatherings, which is routinely denied those who oppose Kremlin policies.

Four European Union lawmakers visiting Russia had joined Tuesday's rally in central Moscow and criticized Russian police for apprehending an opposition leader and several other protesters.

Heidi Hautala, head of an EU parliament panel on human rights, criticized authorities' detention of former Russian Prime Minister Boris Nemstov, now an opposition leader.

Dutch lawmaker Thijs Berman was roughed up by police with batons. "This is an amazing way of dealing with democracy, shocking," he told AP.

Moscow police detained more than 60 people. Some 70 protesters in St. Petersburg received the same treatment.

The previous day, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin had declared that police would disperse opposition protests unless they received official permission to rally.

For emphasis, Mr. Putin said: "You will be beaten upside the head with a truncheon. And that's it."

So much for democracy.