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Football Fans, Anti-Riot Police Clash in Moscow Leaving Several Injured


Riot police officers clash with protesters in central Moscow, 11 Dec 2010
Riot police officers clash with protesters in central Moscow, 11 Dec 2010

Thousands of football fans have clashed with riot police in central Moscow during a rally in memory of a fan killed in a fight a week ago. At least 13 people were injured.

The incident took place Saturday during an unauthorized demonstration in Manezhnaya Square near the Kremlin to protest the death of Yegor Sviridov, who was shot dead last Sunday night. At least one man believed to be from the Caucasus region was arrested in Sviridov's murder.

When Interior Ministry forces tried to disperse the crowd, some protesters supported by members of far-right groups attacked them with makeshift objects and flares.

A number of passers-by, who appeared to be of non-Slavic origin, were also attacked by the fans.

Russian media say about 60 protesters were arrested in a similar demonstration in support of Sviridov in St. Petersburg on Saturday.

The incident is likely to damage Moscow's image less than two weeks after Russia won the right to host the FIFA World Cup in 2018.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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