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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Moscow anti-Putin rally draws thousands | Moscow anti-Putin rally draws thousands |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Thousands of people have gathered for a rally in Moscow to mark the anniversary of a confrontation between opposition activists and police. | Thousands of people have gathered for a rally in Moscow to mark the anniversary of a confrontation between opposition activists and police. |
| Opposition leaders put the number of people in Bolotnaya Square at up to 50,000, though police said the figure was about 7,000. | |
| Last year's clashes erupted in the square before President Vladimir Putin's swearing-in. | Last year's clashes erupted in the square before President Vladimir Putin's swearing-in. |
| Of those allegedly involved, 28 have been charged and two convicted so far. | |
| Preparations for the anniversary rally were marred by the death of a man who was crushed by sound equipment. | 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 the heavy equipment fell on top of him. | The man was helping to build a stage when the heavy equipment fell on top of him. |
| Crackdown | Crackdown |
| "The whole square is full. There are tens of thousands of us," prominent opposition figure Boris Nemtsov told people crammed into the square. | "The whole square is full. There are tens of thousands of us," prominent opposition figure Boris Nemtsov told people crammed into the square. |
| Anti-corruption blogger and activist Alexei Navalny addressed the crowd, saying a recent series of criminal cases brought against him would not deter him from opposing Mr Putin. | |
| "I do not give a damn. Even if I face 124 cases, I will still say what I want to say," Mr Navalny said. | |
| 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." | 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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 Russian authorities used it to crack down on political opponents. | 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. | 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. |