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Fireworks seized on Bolotnaya Square ahead of opposition rally

Two citizens carrying badges of organizers tried to covertly from police bring to Bolotnana Square three tents hidden in litter bins

Photo ITAR-TASS

Photo ITAR-TASS

MOSCOW, May 6 (Itar-Tass) — Fireworks that could be intended for provocations, have been seized on Moscow’s Bolotnaya Square ahead of an opposition rally scheduled for Sunday afternoon, the press service of the Moscow head department of the Interior Ministry have told Tass.

“Two citizens carrying badges of organizers tried to covertly from police bring to Bolotnana Square three tents hidden in litter bins. Besides, a device was found that has been preliminarily identified as a smoke grenade, and also 50-milimetre tubes with propellant powder of military nature and supposedly military fireworks,” the sources said.

“As these objects could become a cause of a provocation and panic during the rally, police have seized them,” the press service said.

Police said the people with badges had been questioned and set free. The rally is expected to begin at 4 pm, Moscow time. According to an Itar-Tass correspondent, over 3,000 people have already flocked to Kaluzhskaya Square from where the rally will start. The situation is calm on the whole.

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