Hundreds protest against Russian government

Hundreds of people protested today against the Russian government at two separate rallies in Moscow, with opposition activists calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and nationalists demanding greater rights for ethnic Russians.

The rallies follow violent clashes yesterday between police and about 5,000 football fans and nationalists just outside the Kremlin walls in which 34 people were injured.

Dozens of nationalists staged a picket today at the Federal Security Service headquarters to protest against what they described as discrimination against ethnic Russians in favour of ethnic minorities.

And in a central Moscow square, hundreds joined an opposition rally to demand Mr Putin’s resignation. Opposition leaders said his policies have aggravated ethnic tensions.