Russian police disperse protests against army mobilisation in Russia

On Saturday, police deployed in force in the cities where protests were scheduled by opposition group Vesna and supporters of jailed opposition leader, Alexei Navalny

A police officer detains a demonstrator during a protest against a partial mobilisation in Moscow (AP Photo)

Russian police moved quickly on Saturday to disperse peaceful protests against President Vladimir Putin’s military mobilisation order, arresting hundreds, including some children, in several cities across the country.

Police detained more than 700 people, including more than 300 in Moscow and about 150 in St Petersburg, according to OVD-Info, an independent website that monitors political arrests in Russia.