Pro-Kremlin, opposition groups protest against corruption in Moscow

[News_Editor]

Pro-Kremlin, opposition groups protest against corruption in Moscow

2011-04-16 22:25:13 GMT+7 (ICT)

MOSCOW (BNO NEWS) -- Pro-government and opposition groups on Saturday took to the streets of the Russian capital to protest against corruption, RIA Novosti reported.

The pro-Kremlin Nashi youth group and the Russian opposition People's Freedom Party held separate rallies in Moscow. Police said the Nashi event brought 50,000 young activists, while a RIA Novosti correspondent at the opposition rally a couple of miles away said about 1,500 people took part.

At the Nashi demonstration, the organization's leaders announced the launch of an online campaign to bring corruption to light, and invited young demonstrators - some of whom were dressed as rats - to join a Stop Corruption campaign that would help members investigate cases of graft.

"We believe that we are moving in the right direction and that the questions you pose at the site will fluster many bad people," they told the crowd, many of whom were wearing white aprons.

At the opposition protest across the Moscow River from the Kremlin, demonstrators called for fair trials, public oversight of law enforcement bodies, direct elections of regional leaders and an end to media censorship. The stage was flanked by posters reading "Against tyranny! Against corruption!" and "For free and fair elections!"

Police said there were no major incidents reported.

Last year, an opinion poll said that over half of Russians (53%) think corruption has increased in their country during the last three years. In the 2010 Corruption Perception Index, Russia was ranked 154th of 178, below countries like Kenya, Laos and Papua New Guinea.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-04-16