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Russian worker's death mars anti-Putin rally build-up Moscow anti-Putin rally draws thousands
(about 4 hours later)
Plans by Russian opposition groups to hold a big rally in Moscow have been marred by the death of a man, crushed by sound equipment. Thousands of people have gathered for a rally in Moscow to mark the anniversary of a confrontation between opposition activists and police.
The rally is to be held on Bolotnaya Square, where a year ago opposition activists clashed with police before President Vladimir Putin's swearing-in. Opposition leaders put the number of people in Bolotnaya Square at up to 50,000, though police said the figure was about a tenth of that.
Of 28 activists charged over the clash, two have so far been convicted. Last year's clashes erupted in the square before President Vladimir Putin's swearing-in.
Thousands are expected at Monday's authorised rally, but police may yet block it because of the worker's death. Of those allegedly involved, 28 have been charged and two so far convicted.
The Moscow mayor's office said the event might be postponed because of the investigation. Preparations for the anniversary rally were marred by the death of a man who was crushed by sound equipment.
The man was helping to build a stage when heavy sound equipment fell on top of him. The man was helping to build a stage when the heavy equipment fell on top of him.
Russian media say the Moscow prosecutor's office has warned the activists not to turn the rally into a march. Crackdown
Meanwhile, an opposition banner was unfurled at the top of an apartment block in New Arbat street, a major avenue in central Moscow. It read: "Freedom for the 6 May prisoners." "The whole square is full. There are tens of thousands of us," prominent opposition figure Boris Nemtsov told people crammed into the square.
A correspondent for the Echo Moscow radio station made an early estimate of 16,000-17,000 people.
Police were quoted as estimating the attendance at between 5,000 and 7,000.
An opposition banner was unfurled at the top of an apartment block in New Arbat street, a major avenue in central Moscow. It read: "Freedom for the 6 May prisoners."
Two activists - Maxim Luzyanin and Konstantin Lebedev - were jailed for deliberately plotting to foment unrest at the Bolotnaya clash a year ago.Two activists - Maxim Luzyanin and Konstantin Lebedev - were jailed for deliberately plotting to foment unrest at the Bolotnaya clash a year ago.
Others are still awaiting trial.
Opposition leaders dismiss the notion of a plot, arguing that the authorities provoked the clash.Opposition leaders dismiss the notion of a plot, arguing that the authorities provoked the clash.
Since Mr Putin's election for a third presidential term, the authorities have charged several prominent protest leaders, and his opponents are mostly denied a voice in the mainstream media. In many ways, the events of 6 May last year set the tone for Mr Putin's third presidential term, says the BBC's Steve Rosenberg in Moscow.
The crackdown followed large-scale anti-Putin street protests which overshadowed the December 2011 parliamentary elections. The Russian authorities used it to crack down on political opponents.
Since returning to the Kremlin, President Putin has signed a string of laws apparently designed to stamp out dissent and weaken civil society, including tougher punishments for unsanctioned protests and legislation which broadens the definition of state treason.